The devastating plane crash that killed Maharashtra’s Deputy CM Ajit Pawar has left a nation in shock, but aviation veteran Captain Anant Mathur warns against jumping to conclusions. In an insightful interview, he stressed that the black box data from the CVR and FDR remains the gold standard for uncovering what went wrong.
‘I lack the specific data to comment on the cause right now,’ Captain Mathur told media outlets. ‘Recovery and analysis of the Cockpit Voice Recorder and Flight Data Recorder are non-negotiable steps.’ These instruments capture pilots’ dialogues, system alerts, and flight metrics, providing investigators with an unfiltered timeline of events.
Visibility stood at approximately 3 km during the crash, per early accounts. Mathur clarified key terms: ground-level horizontal visibility differs from the slant visibility pilots use for runway approach. This distinction can make or break a landing in marginal weather.
Investigations follow a rigorous protocol – a quick preliminary report followed by a comprehensive final one detailing probable causes and preventive measures. ‘Rushing to judgments before the final report is reckless,’ the captain advised. He also expressed profound sympathy for all lives lost, including crew and VIPs aboard.
In Baramati, thousands paid homage to Ajit Pawar during his state funeral. His sons lit the funeral pyre in a poignant ceremony attended by family and dignitaries. As probe teams scour wreckage for the black boxes, the focus sharpens on aviation safety enhancements to prevent future tragedies.