Pune, Feb 22 (NationPress) Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol announced that the preliminary report regarding the tragic Learjet 45 plane crash in Baramati, which resulted in the deaths of NCP leader Ajit Pawar and four others, is expected to be published on or before February 28. Mohol stated during a press event, "The preliminary report will be available before the one-month mark since the accident occurred on January 28, specifically by February 28."

The situation has intensified as Rohit Pawar, the nephew of Ajit Pawar and an MLA from NCP (SP), accused the private company responsible for owning the aircraft of breaching safety protocols.

This incident has sparked widespread speculation, with Rohit Pawar conducting numerous press conferences to highlight what he claims are irregularities associated with the aircraft's owning firm and other technical issues. He has also suggested the possibility of foul play.

The Civil Aviation Ministry emphasized on Thursday that its regulatory agencies are dedicated to ensuring transparency, safety oversight, and accountability. Stakeholders are urged to avoid speculation and allow the official investigation and regulatory processes to unfold as per established protocols.

In accordance with ICAO standards, the preliminary report concerning the Learjet 45 (VT-SSK) crash in Baramati must be published within 30 days following the accident. A final report will be made available subsequently, as indicated by the Ministry.

The Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is conducting a thorough investigation into the crash, which is grounded in technical evidence. This involves a systematic analysis of wreckage, operational and maintenance records, as well as necessary laboratory testing of components.

The aircraft was outfitted with two independent flight recorders. The Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR), produced by L3 Communications, has been successfully downloaded at the AAIB facility in New Delhi. However, the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) suffered thermal damage. Technical support has been requested from the State of Design/Manufacture, as per ICAO guidelines.

In 2025, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) performed 51 regulatory audits of non-scheduled operators. Moreover, multiple evaluations of M/s VSR Ventures were undertaken, focusing on areas such as flight safety systems, compliance with flight duty time limitations, and maintenance adherence. All findings from these evaluations have been resolved.

In the aftermath of the accident, the Ministry instructed the DGCA to initiate a special audit of VSR Ventures to conduct an extensive review of regulatory compliance, operational control systems, maintenance practices, crew training standards, safety management systems, and monitoring of CVR/FDR. This audit commenced on February 4, 2026, and is expected to conclude shortly, with findings to be assessed in line with the DGCA’s enforcement policy and procedures manual.