New Delhi: Data from the digital flight data recorder of the Learjet 45 aircraft that crashed near Baramati by Ajit Pawar has been successfully downloaded at the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau’s flight recorder laboratory, the civil aviation ministry said on Thursday, adding that a preliminary report on the January 28 accident will be released within 30 days as per ICAO norms and all investigative actions were conducted with complete transparency and professional integrity.Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others were killed in the accident.The ministry said the AAIB investigation was technical and evidence-based. It involves a systematic examination of the wreckage, operating and maintenance records, and laboratory testing of components when necessary.The crashed VSR Ventures-owned Learjet 45 was equipped with a digital flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder. Both devices were exposed to high temperatures and suffered fire damage. Data from the DFDR manufactured by L3-Communications has been successfully downloaded to AAIB’s flight recorder laboratory.“The Honeywell-manufactured cockpit voice recorder (CVR) is undergoing a detailed technical inspection. Expert support in data retrieval has been sought from an authorized representative of the country of manufacture,” the AAIB said in a statement on February 17.After the accident, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology instructed the Civil Aviation Administration of China to conduct a special audit of VSR Ventures. The scope of the audit included regulatory compliance, operational control systems, maintenance practices, crew training standards, safety management systems and CVR and FDR monitoring.“The audit began on February 4, 2026 and is expected to be concluded shortly. The findings will be reviewed and action taken in accordance with DGCA’s Enforcement Policy and Procedures Manual,” the ministry said.The regulator has also been asked to conduct special audits of other major non-scheduled operators and airports engaged in VIP and VVIP operations. These audits are being conducted in phases and enforcement action will be taken where necessary.The ministry said that in 2025, DGCA conducted 51 regulatory audits on irregular operators. It added that multiple surveillance operations were conducted on VSR Ventures in areas such as flight safety systems, flight duty time limits, maintenance compliance, documentation and station facilities, and all findings have been addressed and closed.“Stakeholders are requested not to speculate and allow statutory investigation and regulatory proceedings to proceed in accordance with established procedures,” the ministry said, reiterating that all investigations and regulatory actions are conducted with full transparency and professional integrity.Meanwhile, political reaction intensified with new demands for an independent investigation.Nationalist Congress leader Rohit Pawar called on the aviation minister to step down, claiming there was a possible conflict of interest.“The VSR Aviation owner’s son’s wedding was recently held in Jaipur, Rajasthan, and a key leader of the TDP was present at the wedding. The aviation minister belongs to that party. If they were able to attend the wedding of the VSR Aviation owner’s son, the investigation may not go in the right direction.” That is why we believe he should not continue in that position while the investigation is ongoing,” he said.He further said, “Everyone should demand a different type of investigation. If everyone conducts a transparent investigation, we can come to the right conclusion. So, I welcome this move. Although it is a little late, it does not matter. It is important that the investigation should be conducted by many organizations and investigative agencies, but at the same time, some international agencies should also be involved.”NCP president Praful Patel also demanded a CBI probe into the accident.“After the tragic death of Ajit Pawar, we should also know whether the investigation in all aspects is going in the right direction. Today, AAIB is investigating technical issues. I heard that the black box is also going to the United States for investigation. Maybe they did not investigate thoroughly enough here. The state government has also handed over the investigation to the CID. But after such a big accident happened and such a big leader was involved, we feel that information should be obtained from all aspects.” CBI is a trustworthy organization. If the investigation is conducted by the CBI, then there are some facts and aspects that should also be taken into consideration. CBI can do the job. “
