Black Box of Learjet 45 Recovered in Pune, Key to Ajit Pawar Crash Investigation
In a significant development in the investigation of the tragic Learjet 45 crash near Baramati, the black box containing both the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and the flight data recorder (FDR) was successfully recovered on Thursday. This recovery comes just one day after the aircraft crashed near the Baramati airstrip, claiming the lives of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four other individuals.
Critical Evidence for Crash Investigation
The CVR and FDR are considered pivotal pieces of evidence that could help unravel the mystery behind the fatal plane crash. Authorities from the civil aviation ministry have confirmed that the investigation is progressing swiftly following the retrieval of the black box. The data extraction process from these devices is expected to take between two to four weeks, according to sources familiar with the investigation.
Once analyzed, the data will reveal the exact causes of the crash, including detailed insights into what transpired inside the cockpit, the discussions between the two pilots, and their interactions with air traffic control (ATC). However, investigators are also checking whether the equipment or its data sustained any damage due to the fire that followed the crash, which could potentially prolong the extraction timeline.
Investigation Teams on Ground
A dedicated team of three officers from the Aircraft Accident Bureau in Delhi, along with another team of three officers from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)'s Mumbai regional office, arrived at the crash site on Wednesday. They have since initiated comprehensive investigations into the incident.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, who visited Pune on Wednesday, emphasized the importance of protecting the crash site from any interference. "The local police was asked to fence the area so that the authorities investigating the incident do not face any hindrances," he stated. In a letter to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday, Naidu assured that the investigation is being conducted with the utmost seriousness, and key findings will be shared with the state government.
Details of the Fatal Crash
The Learjet 45 aircraft, part of the Bombardier family, crashed at 8:44 AM on Thursday near the Baramati airstrip while ferrying Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. Alongside Pawar, the accident claimed the lives of his personal security officer Vidip Jadhav, pilot Captain Sumit Kapur, co-pilot Shambhavi Pathak, and flight attendant Pinky Mali.
Expert Insights and Broader Implications
Retired Air Marshal Bhushan Gokhale highlighted several factors under scrutiny by the DGCA. "The DGCA will be finding out if the two commanders of the plane had any experience of landing on a tabletop runway like the one in Baramati, which requires more precautions. The Indian Air Force conducts trial landings on different runways," he explained.
Gokhale also pointed to the increasing importance of flight simulators in modern aviation training. "Many aviation companies have state-of-the-art flight simulators now. These provide all kinds of scenarios to pilots. Amid this accident, and heavy flying activities by politicians and businessmen, the need for simulators for pilots is more than ever now," he noted. He added that while pilots are often highly experienced and follow proper flight plans, unpredictable factors such as winds, poor visibility, and rapidly changing weather conditions can pose serious risks.
Rising Trends in Charter Flights
Aviation industry sources have observed a significant surge in the use of helicopters and chartered aircraft, with flying activities increasing by over 100% compared to the last decade. Ishwarchandra Gulgule, Managing Director of Kaigu Aviation in Pune, elaborated on this trend.
"While the number of pilots has increased, the heavy flying definitely puts pressure on them, considering that they have to fly many times across less known terrains and runways. Around 10 years ago, only the chief minister or the deputy chief minister of a state would fly in private aircraft. Now, almost all ministers and MLAs fly during different elections, even during the local polls," Gulgule stated.
He further revealed that on average, jets are now flying more than 100 hours per month, a stark increase from the 30 to 40 hours per month recorded just a few years ago. This uptick in aerial travel underscores the growing demands on pilots and the aviation infrastructure, raising important questions about safety protocols and training requirements in the face of expanding flight operations.
