The black box of the aircraft involved in the crash that killed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others was exposed to intense heat and sustained fire damage. The black box, which comprises the digital flight data recorder (DFDR) and the cockpit voice recorder (CVR), was recovered the following day. The AAIB has also sought specialised support in data retrieval from the state of manufacture of the CVR. Both recorders were exposed to intense heat for a prolonged period during the accident and sustained fire damage,” a press statement from the AAIB said. Since the crash, the DGCA has ordered an audit into the charter operator involved in the Baramati crash, VSR Private Limited, as well as 14 other large charter operators in the country.

Source: The Hindu February 18, 2026 00:15 UTC