Damaged CVR in Learjet 45 Crash Prompts AAIB to Seek US Technical Support

India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has requested specialized assistance to retrieve crucial data from the fire-damaged Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) of a Bombardier Learjet 45. The business jet, operated by VSR Ventures, was reportedly involved in a fatal accident on January 28 near the Baramati airstrip.

The crash reportedly killed five occupants, including Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, after pilots were unable to locate the runway in poor visibility. Retrieving audio from the cockpit is now a critical step in determining the sequence of events that led to the accident.

Investigation Progress and Challenges

The AAIB confirmed in a statement that the aircraft was equipped with two flight recorders, commonly known as 'black boxes'. Both devices sustained significant fire damage after being exposed to intense heat for a prolonged period following the crash.

Investigators at the AAIB Flight Recorder Laboratory successfully downloaded information from the Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR), manufactured by L3Harris Technologies. However, the CVR, a product of Honeywell International Inc., requires more advanced technical examination due to the extent of the damage.

"Assistance has been sought from the accredited representative of the state of manufacture for specialised support in data retrieval," the AAIB stated. This collaboration is a standard procedure in complex investigations and aligns with international protocols.

International Standards Guide the Probe

The investigation is being conducted in strict accordance with India's Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2017, and the global standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Annex 13. This framework ensures that the state where the accident occurred (India) can leverage the technical expertise of the state where critical components were manufactured (the United States).

Flight recorder manufacturers have a high success rate in recovering data even from severely compromised units. This expertise is vital for understanding the pilots' conversations, actions, and any audible alarms in the final moments of the flight.

The aircraft involved was a Bombardier Learjet 45, a mid-size business jet typically configured for nine passengers and two crew. According to industry data, 642 aircraft from the Learjet 45 family were produced between 1995 and 2012. The AAIB has assured that it is committed to a transparent and evidence-based investigation and will release further information at the appropriate time.

Stay ahead of the airline industry with commercial aviation news from flying.flights. From aircraft production to supply chains, commercial aviation manufacturing news is covered at flying.flights/manufacturing.