NEW DELHI / BARAMATI — In a critical phase of the investigation into the death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, the “black box” of the ill-fated Learjet 45 (registration VT-SSK) has arrived at the AAIB headquarters in Safdarjung, New Delhi. As of Monday morning, February 2, 2026, the Baramati airstrip remains closed to all flight operations as forensic teams continue to document the crash site.
1. Decoding the Final Moments
The AAIB laboratory will prioritize the extraction of data from two primary devices:
- Flight Data Recorder (FDR): This will provide technical parameters including air speed, altitude, engine thrust, and the “angle of attack” during the second landing attempt.
- Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR): This will reveal the final conversation between Pilot-in-Command Sumit Kapur and First Officer Shambhavi Pathak.
- Crucial Question: Investigators are looking for a “readback” of the landing clearance. While ATC cleared the jet to land at 8:43 AM, no confirmation was heard from the cockpit before the explosion at 8:44 AM.
2. Three Leading Theories Under Scrutiny
Aviation experts and AAIB officials are currently weighing three primary scenarios based on preliminary site evidence and ATC logs:
| Theory | Evidence/Rationale | Status |
| Aerodynamic Stall | CCTV footage suggests the left wing dipped sharply at low altitude, a classic sign of a “wingtip stall.” | High Priority |
| Engine Failure | Unbalanced thrust from the tail-mounted engines could have caused the aircraft to bank uncontrollably. | Under Review |
| Late Visual Alignment | Low visibility (3,000m) and sun glare may have caused the crew to attempt a sharp, late correction to find the runway. | Investigating |
3. The Site Clear-Out
The Baramati crash site was officially cleared on Sunday night:
- Wreckage Transport: The mangled remains of the business jet have been lifted and are being transported by road/air to Delhi for a “structural reconstruction” to check for pre-impact mechanical failure.
- Evidence Sealed: All ATC logs from Carver Aviation (which managed the Baramati strip during the crash) have been seized.
- Regulatory Compliance: The investigation is being conducted under the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2025, which emphasize a “no-blame” approach to improve future safety protocols.
4. Victims of the VT-SSK Tragedy
The crash on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, claimed five lives:
- Ajit Pawar: Deputy CM of Maharashtra and NCP chief.
- Vidhit Jadhav: Personal Security Officer (PSO).
- Sumit Kapur: Pilot-in-Command (16,500 flight hours).
- Shambhavi Pathak: First Officer.
- Pinky Mali: Cabin Crew.