Authorities have recovered the second black box from the wreckage of the ill-fated Air India Boeing 787 that crashed shortly after takeoff in Ahmedabad on Thursday, killing at least 279 people, including 38 on the ground.
On Sunday, PK Mishra, a senior aide to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, confirmed that the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) had been located, two days after the flight data recorder (FDR) was found. The aircraft was en route to London with 242 passengers and crew when it plummeted into a densely populated residential neighborhood minutes after departing Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.
Tragically, only one passenger survived the catastrophic crash. The impact also caused widespread devastation on the ground, leaving dozens of homes destroyed and communities in mourning.
In a statement, Mishra said, “Officials confirmed that the Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder have been located and secured.” These critical devices are expected to offer key insights into what led to one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters in recent memory.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has initiated a comprehensive investigation, while the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is conducting a parallel probe under international protocols, as the aircraft involved was manufactured by U.S.-based Boeing.
While speculation has swirled online and in the media, aviation experts have cautioned against premature conclusions. “It is too early to determine the cause,” said an Indian aviation analyst. “The data from the black boxes will be essential in understanding what went wrong.”
Residents of the impacted neighborhood described a thunderous noise followed by a fiery explosion as the jet struck buildings, igniting fires and sending plumes of smoke into the sky. Emergency responders worked tirelessly to rescue survivors and recover bodies from the debris.
Prime Minister Modi expressed his condolences to the victims’ families and assured full support for the investigation. As forensic teams and aviation specialists sift through the wreckage, the focus remains on piecing together the aircraft’s final moments to prevent future tragedies.
