Black Box Recovered: Union Aviation Minister Assures Transparent Probe Into Plane Crash That Killed Ajit Pawar

In a formal communication to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu on Thursday confirmed that the Black Box has been successfully recovered from the site of the aircraft crash near Baramati.

The letter marks an official acknowledgement of the severity of the tragedy, which claimed several lives, including Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.

Minister Naidu opened his letter by expressing his deepest condolences to the bereaved families, referring to the crash as an “unfortunate incident” and underlining that the Ministry is treating the matter with ‘the utmost seriousness.’

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has moved swiftly to secure the crash site and initiate a high-level enquiry. According to the letter, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has launched a formal investigation under the AAIB Rules, with teams from both the AAIB and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) reaching the site as soon as possible.

The recovery of the flight data recorder, commonly known as the Black Box, is expected to provide crucial insights into the aircraft’s final moments. Investigators are currently analysing technical records, operational logs, and physical evidence collected from the site to reconstruct the precise sequence of events leading up to the crash.

Assurance Of Transparency And Safety Measures

Minister Naidu assured that the investigation would be “thorough, transparent, and time-bound,” and would strictly adhere to the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2025. Responding to Chief Minister Fadnavis’ concerns about preventing similar tragedies in the future, the Union Minister said the government has taken cognisance of the request.

“Necessary safety recommendations and regulatory/operational measures will be implemented in coordination with AAIB and DGCA upon receipt of the preliminary and final findings,” the Minister stated.

The Union Government also thanked the Maharashtra Government for its cooperation, highlighting the role of local administrative support and access to the site in expediting the investigation. The Ministry has assured that key findings of the probe will be shared with the state government as they become available.

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