The black box of the aircraft that crashed in Pune on Wednesday and led to the demise of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar along with three others has been recovered by officials, informed the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

"The investigation is progressing expeditiously, and the black box of the ill-fated aircraft has been recovered," said the MoCA in an official statement on Thursday.

The box is crucial and is expected to significantly aid the probe into the ill-fated incident as it carries that Fligth Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder that could give a greater insight into the cause.

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The ministry further informed that teams from AAIB's Delhi office and DGCA's regional office in Mumbai had already reached the crash site and investigation is progressing according to procedure.

"The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) remains fully committed to completing the investigation within a defined timeframe, strictly in accordance with established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and laid-down guidelines," the statement further read.



The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is likely to take custody of the box.

The aircraft, a Learjet 45 operated by VSR and registered as VT-SSK, was attempting to land at Baramati airport when it crash-landed. There were five people on board, including crew, and no one survived the crash, the regulator said.

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According to an eye witness, the aircraft appeared unstable during descent. Moments after touching down, it veered and slammed into the ground before erupting in fire.

Pawar's hometown on Thursday mourned the leader as hundreds of supporters and other political leaders gathered in the Maharashtrian town for the NCP-AP head's last rites.

The Deputy CM was also accorded full state honours ahead of the rituals in the presence of wife Sunetra and children Ajay and Parth.