Overview
- India’s aviation ministry said the AAIB will publish a preliminary report within 30 days of the January 28 Baramati crash, with a final report to follow under ICAO norms.
- The AAIB has successfully downloaded data from the Digital Flight Data Recorder, while the Cockpit Voice Recorder suffered thermal damage and requires Honeywell technical support.
- The DGCA’s special audit of operator VSR Ventures began on February 4 and is nearing completion, and phased audits of other non-scheduled VIP operators are under way.
- NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar called for Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu to step down pending the probe, alleged links between VSR and TDP figures, and sought a ban on VSR operations.
- Ajit Pawar’s son Jay questioned reports of black box damage and urged immediate restrictions on VSR, as Supriya Sule pressed for a transparent inquiry and enhanced security for Rohit Pawar.