New Delhi: The Ministry of Civil Aviation has announced that a preliminary report into the Learjet 45 crash at Baramati, which claimed the life of senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar and four others, will be released within 30 days of the accident. The inquiry is being conducted by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau under the Aircraft Investigation of Accidents and Incidents Rules, 2025, in line with global standards outlined in ICAO Annex 13.
According to the ministry, the investigation is focused on a technical and evidence based assessment of the crash. This includes a detailed inspection of the wreckage, scrutiny of operational and maintenance records, and laboratory analysis of components wherever necessary. While the preliminary findings will be shared within a month, a comprehensive final report will follow later.
The aircraft was fitted with two separate flight recorders. The Digital Flight Data Recorder, manufactured by L3 Communications, has been successfully retrieved and its data downloaded at the bureau’s facility in New Delhi. However, the Cockpit Voice Recorder, built by Honeywell, suffered thermal damage in the crash. Assistance has been sought from the country of manufacture to aid in its examination.
On the regulatory front, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation carried out 51 audits of non scheduled operators in 2025. The operator of the crashed aircraft, VSR Ventures, had undergone multiple surveillance checks covering flight safety systems, crew duty time limits, maintenance compliance, documentation and station facilities. All previous findings were reported as addressed.
Following the accident, a special audit of VSR Ventures was initiated on February 4. The review covers regulatory compliance, operational controls, maintenance procedures, crew training, safety management systems, and monitoring of cockpit and flight data recorders. Similar phased audits have been ordered for other non scheduled operators and aerodromes handling VIP and VVIP flights.
The crash occurred on January 28 when the chartered Learjet, attempting to land in poor visibility at Baramati Airport, caught fire. Investigations by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation are ongoing.
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