Ajit Pawar Air Crash: Recovered Black Box May Be Sent Abroad For Analysis, Says Govt Source

Last Updated:February 16, 2026, 16:29 IST

The DGCA has begun a parallel investigation into the aircraft’s airworthiness and operational condition.

The damaged black box has been recovered from the January 28 plane crash that killed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar and four others, sources told CNN-News18 on Monday.

Top sources in the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) said that, unlike the Air India crash, the aircraft involved in Pawar’s case has yielded its black box. However, it was found in a burnt condition and will need further technical examination.

Sources said the government is expected to take a decision within the next one or two days, and it is likely that the damaged black box will be sent overseas for specialised data recovery.

Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has begun a parallel investigation into the aircraft’s airworthiness and operational condition. The probe is expected to take 10 to 15 days, as investigators review a large number of documents recovered from the operating company.

Officials said the findings of both the black box analysis and the DGCA inquiry will be crucial in determining the cause of the crash and the next course of action.

Pawar died in the plane crash on January 28 near Baramati in Pune district, along with Captain Sumit Kapoor, co-pilot Captain Shambhavi Pathak, Personal Security Officer Vidip Jadhav, and flight attendant Pinky Mali. The chartered Learjet 45 crashed while attempting to land at Baramati airport.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and the DGCA are probing the incident. Authorities have not yet released details about the cause of the crash, and officials said the investigation is ongoing.

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