Pune, February 22: Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Muralidhar Mohol announced on Sunday that the preliminary report on the tragic Learjet 45 crash in Baramati will be released by February 28 or earlier. The incident claimed the lives of NCP leader Ajit Pawar and four others, sending shockwaves through Maharashtra’s political circles.
Speaking to reporters at a local event, Mohol emphasized the timeline, stating, ‘The initial findings will be out before the one-month mark from the January 28 accident, specifically by or before February 28.’ This assurance comes amid mounting speculation and accusations surrounding the crash.
The probe has taken a dramatic turn with NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar, Ajit Pawar’s nephew, alleging serious safety violations by the private company owning the aircraft. Rohit has held multiple press conferences, highlighting irregularities in the firm’s operations and potential technical failures that may have contributed to the disaster.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has urged restraint, reaffirming its commitment to transparency and accountability. ‘Our regulatory bodies are fully dedicated to safety oversight. We request stakeholders to avoid speculation and allow the legal investigation to proceed as per established procedures,’ it stated earlier.
Under ICAO guidelines, the preliminary report for the Learjet 45 (VT-SSK) crash must be issued within 30 days. The ministry detailed that the Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is conducting a thorough technical probe, including systematic wreckage analysis, operational records review, maintenance logs, and lab testing of components where necessary.
Both flight recorders have been recovered. The Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) by L3 Communications was successfully downloaded at AAIB’s New Delhi facility. However, the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), manufactured by Honeywell, suffered thermal damage. Technical assistance has been sought from the state of design per ICAO norms.
In 2025, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) conducted 51 regulatory audits on non-scheduled operators, with multiple surveillances on VSR Ventures, the aircraft’s operator. These covered flight safety systems, duty time limits, maintenance compliance, documentation, and station facilities. All findings were addressed and closed.
Post-crash, the ministry ordered a special DGCA audit of VSR Ventures, reviewing regulatory compliance, operational controls, maintenance practices, crew training, safety management, and CVR/FDR monitoring. Initiated on February 4, 2026, the audit is nearing completion, with results to be reviewed and action taken per DGCA enforcement policies.
As the nation awaits answers, the investigation underscores the critical importance of aviation safety standards in India’s growing skies.