Black Box Recovered in Baramati Aircraft Crash; AAIB, DGCA Probe Underway
Maharashtra, 29 Jan 2026: Following the tragic aircraft accident near Baramati, all requisite emergency response and investigative mechanisms were activated immediately, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) said on Tuesday, assuring a thorough, transparent, and time-bound inquiry.
A team of three officers from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), New Delhi, and another team of three officers from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Mumbai Regional Office, reached the crash site on January 28. The Director General of AAIB also arrived at the site the same day to oversee the investigation.
The Ministry confirmed that the black box of the ill-fated aircraft has been recovered, marking a critical step in determining the cause of the crash. The investigation is progressing expeditiously, officials said.
According to the Civil Aviation Ministry, the probe has been initiated in accordance with Rules 5 and 11 of the AAIB Rules, 2025, and will be conducted strictly as per established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and laid-down guidelines.
The aircraft crash resulted in the death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others on board, the Ministry stated. MoCA reiterated its commitment to completing the investigation within a defined timeframe and ensuring accountability through due process.
Authorities continue to coordinate at the site as part of ongoing investigative and safety assessments.
