India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on Tuesday said it has sought specialised assistance to retrieve data from the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) of the Learjet 45 that crashed last month, claiming the lives of Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister and four others.
The probe agency stated that both the cockpit voice recorder and the flight data recorder were exposed to intense heat for a prolonged duration and sustained significant fire damage.
Recorders severely damaged
According to AAIB, the CVR, manufactured by Honeywell, is undergoing detailed technical examination. However, due to extensive heat exposure and structural damage, specialised international assistance has been sought.
“Assistance has been requested from the Accredited Representative of the State of Manufacture for specialised support in data retrieval,” the agency said in its statement.
Investigators are attempting to recover crucial cockpit audio that could shed light on the sequence of events, crew communication and any possible technical issues in the final moments before the crash.
Crucial step in ongoing probe
Aviation experts note that cockpit voice data is often vital in reconstructing accident timelines, especially in cases involving fire-related damage.
Authorities have reiterated that the investigation is being conducted thoroughly and transparently to determine the exact cause of the accident. Further updates are expected once the data retrieval process progresses.