Investigators begin analyzing black boxes from fatal Air India crash
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
Indian investigators download black box data from fatal Air India crash
Investigators have downloaded flight recorder data from an Air India crash that killed 260 people. The data retrieved from them could provide critical clues into the aircraft’s performance. The London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed moments after takeoff from India’s Ahmedabad city on June 12, killing 241 of the 242 people on board and the rest on the ground. The decision to begin downloading recorder data around two weeks after the crash was unusually late, three experts told Reuters, and followed speculation that the so-called black boxes could be sent to the U.S. for analysis. The probe into the crash of the Air India plane, which started losing height after reaching an altitude of 650 feet, includes a focus on engine thrust, according to a source with knowledge of the matter. The Wall Street Journal has reported that investigators believe the Dreamliner had its emergency-power generator operating when it crashed. (This story has been refiled to delete extraneous words in paragraph 6)
Summary
Companies Black boxes recovered, data downloaded in Delhi crash
Protection Module safely retrieved and data accessed
CVR and FDR analysis may reveal critical details
NEW DELHI/WASHINGTON, June 26 (Reuters) – Investigators have downloaded flight recorder data from an Air India crash this month that killed 260 people, India’s civil aviation ministry said on Thursday, a long-awaited step towards understanding the world’s worst aviation disaster in a decade.
The London-bound Boeing (BA.N) , opens new tab 787 Dreamliner crashed moments after takeoff from India’s Ahmedabad city on June 12, killing 241 of the 242 people on board and the rest on the ground.
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The black boxes of the plane – the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR) – were recovered in the days that followed, one from the rooftop of a building at the crash site on June 13, and the other from the debris on June 16.
The ministry said data from the front recorder was accessed on Wednesday by a team led by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), with the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board.
“These efforts aim to reconstruct the sequence of events leading to the accident and identify contributing factors to enhance aviation safety and prevent future occurrences,” the ministry said in a statement.
U.S. National Transportation Safety Board chair Jennifer Homendy told Reuters on Thursday she hopes the Indian government will be able to share details from the investigation into the crash in short order.
“For aviation safety and for public safety and public awareness we hope that they will make their findings public swiftly,” Homendy said on the sidelines of an aviation event.
She said the NTSB team has been working diligently to provide assistance to India and “we have had excellent cooperation from the Indian government and the AAIB.”
The probe into the crash of the Air India plane, which started losing height after reaching an altitude of 650 feet, includes a focus on engine thrust , according to a source with knowledge of the matter.
The Wall Street Journal has reported that investigators believe the Dreamliner had its emergency-power generator operating when it crashed.
Most air crashes are caused by multiple factors, with a preliminary report expected about 30 days after the accident.
Two GE (GE.N) , opens new tab recorders, one in the jet’s front and another at the rear, are installed on Boeing’s 787 jets and record the same set of flight data. GE, which sent experts to India, manufactured the engines on the Air India 787 and also produced the combined flight data and cockpit voice recorder, called an “enhanced airborne flight recorder”.
The forward recorder is equipped with an independent power supply that provides backup power to the device for about 10 minutes if the plane’s power source is lost, the NTSB said in a 2014 report.
The decision to begin downloading recorder data around two weeks after the crash was unusually late, three experts told Reuters, and followed speculation that the so-called black boxes could be sent to the United States for analysis.
U.S. aviation safety expert Anthony Brickhouse said accident investigators would typically have already given some update on the recorders’ status, and have begun downloading data in such a high profile crash.
“Normally countries know that the world is watching,” he said.
India said last week that it was yet to decide where the black boxes would be analyzed. The data retrieved from them could provide critical clues into the aircraft’s performance and any conversations between the pilots preceding the crash.
India has said its actions have been taken in full compliance with domestic laws and international obligations in a time bound manner.
(This story has been refiled to delete extraneous words in paragraph 6)
Reporting by Sakshi Dayal in New Delhi and Allison Lampert in Montreal and David Shepardson in Washington; Editing by YP Rajesh, Philippa Fletcher and Toby Chopra
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab
Indian investigators begin to analyse black box data from fatal Air India crash
Both black boxes — the Cockpit Voice Recorders (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR) — were recovered from the crash site. India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) will work with the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to extract the data. At least 241 people were killed when the Air India Flight AI-171 crashed into a residential area shortly after taking off from the Indian city of Ahmedabad on June 12. The investigation into what caused the worst aviation disaster in more than a decade is in its infancy, but insiders say there’s already a clear area of focus for the NTSB. The plane completed its first flight in 2013 and was delivered to Air India in January 2014.
Both black boxes — the Cockpit Voice Recorders (CVR) and Flight Data Recorders (FDR) — were recovered from the crash site, according to India’s Civil Aviation Ministry.
“The analysis of CVR and FDR data is underway,” the ministry said in a statement.
“These efforts aim to reconstruct the sequence of events leading to the accident and identify contributing factors to enhance aviation safety and prevent future occurrences.”
The ministry said the black boxes were brought from Ahmedabad to Delhi, where India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) would work with the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to extract the data.
“The crash protection module from the front black box was safely retrieved,” said the ministry, “And … the memory module was successfully accessed and its data downloaded at the AAIB Lab.”
The Air India Flight AI-171 bound for London crashed into a residential area shortly after taking off from the Indian city of Ahmedabad on June 12.
The Air India Flight AI-171 crashed in a residential area in Ahmedabad in India. (AP/Central Industrial Security Force)
According to the NTSB’s website, the CVR recorded radio transmissions and sounds in the cockpit, including the pilots’ voices and engine noises.
Air India crash probe focuses on engine, landing gear as safety checks ordered Photo shows A broken plane tail and wing sits among the debris of a charred building as a fire investigator walks through The investigation into what caused the worst aviation disaster in more than a decade is in its infancy, but insiders say there’s already a clear area of focus.
The FDR, monitored parameters such as altitude, airspeed and heading, the NTSB said.
Both recorders will be valuable tools in the accident investigation process, providing information that may be difficult or impossible to obtain by other means, it said.
NTSB chair Jennifer Homendy told Reuters she hoped the Indian government would share details from the investigation into the crash in short order.
“For aviation safety and for public safety and public awareness, we hope that they will make their findings public swiftly,” she said.
Recap of what happened
Data from flight tracker, Flightradar24, showed the flight took off at about 13:38 local time.
The flight was tracked to 625 feet, or just over 190 metres, in the air before the signal dropped out.
ABC NEWS Verify can reveal that the video shows the aircraft taking off and flying for approximately 30 seconds before hitting the ground.
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Another video posted online shows the crash from a separate angle.
The Air India aircraft was seen flying with its landing gear visible, before crashing and exploding. (Supplied)
Ron Bartsch, a leading expert in aviation safety, told the ABC that the aircraft’s flaps did not appear to be in the right position.
“The fact that the aircraft still appears to be with its gear down and flaps retracted at 600 feet after take-off is not the usual configuration for an aircraft.”
The plane completed its first flight in 2013 and was delivered to Air India in January 2014.
Unraveling Tragedy: Inside the Air India Crash Investigation
Flight data from the Air India disaster in Ahmedabad is now under scrutiny, nearly two weeks after the tragic crash that resulted in 260 fatalities. The recording devices, including the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder, were recovered shortly after the incident.
The recording devices, including the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder, were recovered shortly after the incident. Spearheaded by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau and supported by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, the investigation aims to determine causative factors and enhance aviation safety.
Insights into engine thrust and emergency power systems of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner form key aspects of the probe. Published reports indicate the aircraft may have been operating on emergency power at the time of the crash. While preliminary findings are anticipated within a month, the global aviation community is watching closely for further developments.
(With inputs from agencies.)
Air India’s Black Box Data Recovered: Key Insights from Fatal Crash Unveiled!
Data from the black boxes of the Air India crash has been recovered, aiding investigations into the cause of the tragedy that killed 261 people. This tragic incident, which occurred shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad Airport, resulted in the loss of 241 lives. Initial reports suggest potential engine failure or mechanical issues, with ongoing analysis aimed at uncovering the truth behind this catastrophic event. The recovery of black box data is vital for understanding the tragedy’s causes and preventing future aviation disasters.
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The recent Air India crash has captured global attention as investigators recover data from the black boxes. This tragic incident, which occurred shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad Airport, resulted in the loss of 241 lives, with only one survivor among the 242 passengers and crew.
6 Key Takeaways Black boxes recovered from Air India crash.
Flight AI171 crashed shortly after take-off.
Investigators analyzing cockpit voice and flight data.
Theories include engine failure and flap issues.
Black boxes aid in determining crash causes.
Emergency power generator was operational during crash.
On June 26, 2025, the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR) were retrieved, providing crucial insights into the events leading up to the disaster. Initial reports suggest potential engine failure or mechanical issues, with ongoing analysis aimed at uncovering the truth behind this catastrophic event.
Fast Answer: The recovery of black box data from the Air India crash is vital for understanding the tragedy’s causes and preventing future aviation disasters.
As investigators sift through the black box data, one pressing question arises: what factors contributed to this devastating crash? The analysis may reveal critical insights, such as:
Potential mechanical failure during takeoff.
Possible pilot error or miscommunication.
Environmental conditions affecting aircraft performance.
Historical data on bird strikes at Ahmedabad Airport.
This incident underscores the ongoing challenges in aviation safety, highlighting the need for rigorous investigations to enhance global air travel security.
As the investigation unfolds, it is imperative for aviation authorities worldwide to learn from this tragedy, ensuring that safety measures are strengthened to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Investigators begin analyzing black boxes from fatal Air India crash
The black boxes were flown to a lab in Delhi this week. The voice recorder will offer insight into what was happening in the cockpit. The digital flight recorder will yield information including the jet’s airspeed, altitude, instrument readings. The crash, which killed at least 270 people, was the first one involving a Boeing 787 jet.“The longer the basic facts of an accident are not known, the more nervous people get,” a former NTSB investigator says.‘Transparency and communications are very important in accident investigations,’ another expert says of the lack of information on the cause of the crash, the first involving a 787 in nearly a decade. ‘There’�s an incredible amount of misinformation on the internet,“ a retired United Airlines pilot says. “These days just about every student pilot or someone who works with flight simulator on their computer is sending out these crazy stories and information and they believe they’ve got the answer’
The black boxes were flown to a lab in Delhi this week, and a team led by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau with the help of U.S. experts from the National Transportation Safety Board has begun the careful work of extracting data from the boxes, according to a statement from the Indian government.
The voice recorder will offer investigators insight into what was happening in the cockpit in the minutes before the plane crashed, including conversations between the two pilots and any alarms that may have sounded. The digital flight recorder will yield information including the jet’s airspeed, altitude, instrument readings, and data from engines and control settings. The crash, which killed at least 270 people, was the first one involving a Boeing 787 jet.
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In the days following the June 12 crash, Indian investigators released few details. Some experts have voiced concerns that a lack of information has stoked rampant speculation about the cause.
“There’s an incredible amount of misinformation on the internet,” said Ross “Rusty” Aimer, an aviation consultant and retired United Airlines pilot. “These days just about every student pilot or someone who works with flight simulator on their computer is sending out these crazy stories and information and they believe they’ve got the answer.”
Crash investigations are complex and can typically take a year or more to complete, but in some cases, investigators can glean some answers more quickly. For example, experts broadly agree that video of the crash indicates that an emergency turbine on the plane appears to have been deployed, a potential sign the jet was suffering serious engine problems.
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The system, called a ram air turbine, or RAT, automatically drops from a compartment on the underside of the plane if both engines have failed, hydraulic pressure has dropped or the pilots have lost electrical power to their instruments, according to a 787 manual reviewed by The Washington Post.
Pilots can also manually deploy the turbine. It spins as the airplane moves and provides emergency electrical and hydraulic power. The turbine makes a distinct sound that experts say is audible in video of the Air India jet before it crashed. While the apparent deployment of the system is an important clue, the underlying reason it activated and whether there’s a risk that needs to be addressed on other 787s remain unclear.
“Transparency and communications are very important in accident investigations,” said Jeff Guzzetti, a former NTSB and Federal Aviation Administration crash investigator. “Not just for the aviation industry but also for the public. And the longer the basic facts of an accident are not known, the more nervous people get.”
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After January’s crash involving an American Airlines regional jet and an Army helicopter at Washington’s Reagan National Airport, NTSB investigators conducted daily media briefings and briefed lawmakers on Capitol Hill. International standards call for a preliminary report outlining key facts to be completed within 30 days of a crash.
Immediately after the crash, Air India conducted inspections of all 787 jets in its fleet. No major safety concerns were identified, according to a statement from the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Enhanced safety inspections of 787 jets in the carrier’s fleet also are being done. A review by the country’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation identified several concerns about the carrier’s maintenance operations, including a lack of communication between engineering and operations, and issues with real-time reporting of defects.
The carrier has struggled to resume normal operations, leaving customers who had booked tickets scrambling. In a post on X shortly after the crash, Air India said it was reducing international flights on wide-body aircraft. More flights were curtailed following the conflict in Iran, though the carrier said Tuesday that it would begin resuming some service to Europe and the East Coast of the United States.