Investigators in India have recovered crucial data from the flight recorders of the Air India crash that occurred earlier this month, marking a major development in the ongoing probe into one of the country’s worst aviation disasters in recent memory.
The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operating as Air India Flight 171, was bound for London when it crashed less than a minute after taking off from Ahmedabad airport on June 12, 2025. The crash resulted in the deaths of at least 270 individuals, most of whom were passengers. The plane was airborne for only about 40 seconds before plummeting into a densely populated residential area, causing widespread devastation.
Both sets of Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorders (EAFRs), commonly known as black boxes, were recovered in the days following the incident. One was retrieved from the rooftop of a building, and the other was found amid the wreckage. These recorders include both the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and the flight data recorder (FDR), which are essential for reconstructing the events leading up to the crash.
The flight data recorder captures detailed technical information, including engine performance, thrust settings, fuel flow, flap and gear lever positions, and fire handle activations. Meanwhile, the cockpit voice recorder logs pilot communications, microphone audio, and ambient cockpit sounds. Together, this data provides investigators with a comprehensive timeline of the aircraft’s final moments.
A team led by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), in collaboration with experts from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), has begun analyzing the recovered data. The objective is to determine the cause of the crash and identify any contributing factors. Officials have indicated that this analysis could take several weeks before any conclusive information is released.
The quick recovery of the black boxes was initially seen as a positive step, but the delay in accessing and analyzing the data has prompted questions from aviation experts. Typically, such data is downloaded and reviewed as soon as possible to expedite the investigation process and ensure public transparency.
Authorities confirmed that the aircraft issued a mayday call moments after takeoff its final transmission before the crash. The plane was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and co-pilot Clive Kundar. With only one passenger surviving the disaster, the crash stands as a stark reminder of the importance of rigorous safety protocols and rapid investigative response to prevent future tragedies.
