Air India: India begins downloading data from recorders of crashed Dreamliner
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
Air India: India begins downloading data from recorders of crashed Dreamliner
India recovers data from crashed Air India flight recorders. At least 270 people were killed when the London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed less than a minute after taking off from Ahmedabad airport. Data can be used to reconstruct the flight’s final moments and determine the cause of the incident. US National Transportation Safety Board chair Jennifer Homendy says 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,” she said.
It could be several weeks before the federal government is able to release information gathered from the recorders.
Investigators had earlier recovered both sets of Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorders (EAFRs) – the “black boxes” – from the Boeing 787 crash site on 13 and 16 June – one from a rooftop, the other from the debris.
At least 270 people were killed when the London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed less than a minute after taking off on 12 June from Ahmedabad airport in western India.
Investigators have recovered flight recorder data from the Air India crash earlier this month, the civil aviation ministry has confirmed, marking a key step in the probe.
The particular aircraft model carries the two recorder sets to aid in thorough analysis. These combined units record flight data and cockpit audio.
Data recorders track with high precision the position of gear and flap levers, thrust settings, engine performance, fuel flow and even fire handle activation.
The data can be used to reconstruct the flight’s final moments and determine the cause of the incident.
The cockpit voice recorder (CVR) captures pilot radio calls, individual mic audio, and ambient cockpit sounds via an area microphone.
The aviation ministry said data from the recorder was accessed on Wednesday by a team led by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), with the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
“The analysis of CVR and FDR [flight data recorder] data is underway. 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.
Meanwhile, US National Transportation Safety Board chair Jennifer Homendy told Reuters news agency that 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.”
India’s decision to download and investigate data from the flight recorders comes nearly two weeks after the crash and has raised questions among aviation experts, some of whom described the delay as unusual.
Air India Flight 171 was airborne for less than 40 seconds before it crashed into a crowded Ahmedabad neighbourhood, killing all but one of the 242 passengers on board, in one of India’s most puzzling air disasters in recent memory.
The London-bound Boeing 787, piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and co-pilot Clive Kundar, took off at 13:39 local time, but issued a mayday call moments later – its final transmission.
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.
Air India Black Box Data Retrieved In Deadly Ahmedabad Crash Investigation
Indian aviation investigators have successfully extracted crucial flight recorder data from the Air India crash that claimed 260 lives earlier this month. The incident occurred on June 12 when a London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed shortly after departing from Ahmedabad, resulting in the deaths of 241 passengers and crew aboard the aircraft. The extracted data is expected to provide critical insights into aircraft performance parameters and cockpit conversations that occurred immediately before the crash. Reports suggest that investigators believe the Dreamliner’s emergency power generator was operational during the crash sequence, potentially providing important clues about the aircraft’s final moments. General Electric, which manufactured both the aircraft engines and the enhanced airborne flight recorder system, has dispatched technical experts to India to assist with the investigation process. Indian officials have maintained that all investigative actions have been conducted in full compliance with domestic regulations and international aviation safety obligations within appropriate timeframes.
The tragic incident occurred on June 12 when a London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed shortly after departing from Ahmedabad, resulting in the deaths of 241 passengers and crew aboard the aircraft, along with additional fatalities on the ground. The catastrophic accident has prompted an intensive international investigation to understand the sequence of events that led to this devastating outcome.
Recovery teams successfully retrieved both black box recorders in the days following the crash, with one cockpit voice recorder found on a building rooftop at the crash site on June 13, while the flight data recorder was located among the wreckage debris on June 16. These critical devices contain essential information about the aircraft’s final moments and crew communications before impact.
A joint investigation team comprising India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau and the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board accessed the flight recorder data on Wednesday, representing a crucial breakthrough in the ongoing probe. The ministry emphasized that these analytical efforts aim to reconstruct the complete sequence of events preceding the accident while identifying contributing factors to improve aviation safety protocols and prevent similar future incidents.
U.S. National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy expressed optimism about the investigation’s progress during an aviation industry event, praising the excellent cooperation between American and Indian authorities. She emphasized the importance of making investigation findings public promptly to enhance aviation safety awareness and prevent future tragedies, noting that her team has been working diligently to provide comprehensive assistance to Indian investigators.
The investigation has revealed that the aircraft began losing altitude after reaching just 650 feet, with preliminary focus centering on potential engine thrust issues according to sources familiar with the matter. Reports suggest that investigators believe the Dreamliner’s emergency power generator was operational during the crash sequence, potentially providing important clues about the aircraft’s final moments.
Boeing 787 aircraft are equipped with two General Electric recorders positioned at the front and rear of the aircraft, both capturing identical flight data sets. General Electric, which manufactured both the aircraft engines and the enhanced airborne flight recorder system, has dispatched technical experts to India to assist with the investigation process.
The forward recorder features an independent power supply designed to provide backup power for approximately ten minutes if the aircraft’s primary power source fails, according to previous NTSB documentation. This backup capability could prove essential in understanding the aircraft’s final operational status during the emergency sequence.
Aviation safety experts have noted that the decision to begin downloading recorder data approximately two weeks after the crash was unusually delayed compared to typical investigation timelines. Industry professionals typically expect preliminary updates on recorder status and initial data extraction to occur more rapidly in such high-profile incidents, particularly given the international attention surrounding this tragedy.
The delay prompted speculation about potentially sending the black boxes to the United States for specialized analysis, though Indian authorities maintained that decisions regarding analysis location remained under consideration. The extracted data is expected to provide critical insights into aircraft performance parameters and cockpit conversations that occurred immediately before the crash.
Most aviation accidents result from multiple contributing factors rather than single causes, making comprehensive analysis of all available data essential for determining the complete chain of events. Investigators typically release preliminary findings approximately 30 days after an accident, though complex cases may require extended analysis periods.
Indian officials have maintained that all investigative actions have been conducted in full compliance with domestic regulations and international aviation safety obligations within appropriate timeframes. The collaborative approach with U.S. investigators demonstrates the commitment to thorough analysis using global expertise and resources to ensure comprehensive understanding of this tragic incident.
AAIB takes next steps to decode Air India AI171 Dreamliner crash
The AAIB under the Ministry of Civil Aviation has investigated over 220 aviation accidents since its inception in 2012. decoding the flight data recorder (FDR) and the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) of Air India flight AI171 crash is the biggest test for its recently opened laboratory. The challenge is not just about the availability of advanced tools, expertise and experience but also a one of its kind aviation accident involving a B-787 Dreamliner with a complete hull loss. There are over 1000 Dreamliner operated by various airlines and everyone in the industry wants to know reason behind the crash, say aviation experts. The team is led by DG AAIB GVG Yugandhar, an aviation medicine specialist, an ATC officer, and representatives from US-based National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)
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The challenge is not just about the availability of advanced tools, expertise and experience but also a one of its kind of aviation accident involving a B-787 Dreamliner with a complete hull loss. There are over 1000 Dreamliner operated by various airlines and everyone in the industry wants to know reason behind the crash, say aviation experts.
“It is very important that we know soon what went wrong with Air India flight. The whole industry wants to know what happened to this 787 — maybe the aircraft has issues or something else went wrong,” says Kurt Hofmann, an aviation industry veteran, adding AAIB should consider seeking outside expertise to expedite the investigation process.
What next now that the CVR and FDR data has been downloaded?
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The evidence and data gathered by AAIB investigators are subjected to detailed scrutiny to build a detailed understanding of the circumstances surrounding the occurrence being investigated and any safety issues that had a causal or contributory effect on the occurrence. The team is led by DG AAIB GVG Yugandhar, an aviation medicine specialist, an ATC officer, and representatives from US-based National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
“This may require the investigator to review a complex and different set of evidence and seek clarifications from different stakeholders, wherever required. AAIB investigators may require having repeated meetings with the involved crew or other personnel of the operator to discuss the safety issues observed during the Investigations,” according to officials.
Documents and Records gathered from the Operator, Regulator, involved Personnel or other stakeholders are studied and analysed by the investigators and reviewed in association with subject matter experts, if required.
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“The results from the analysis of Flight Recorders Data, examination of any components or other Reports from specialists are studied and may require deliberation with different stakeholders,” they said.
What makes the investigation long is, occasionally, the examination and analysis of a different set of evidence and data may provide a vague, incomplete and or contradictory picture of the situation.
“This may prompt the collection of more evidence or may also require further interviews with witnesses or other personnel. Such requirements potentially increase the scope of Investigation and add to the duration of an investigation,” they further said.
After examination and analysis of all available evidence is complete, the investigation team drafts the report to include all factual information, analysis, conclusions and safety recommendations. The format of Investigation Report to be followed is in accordance with ICAO Annex 13.
During the drafting of the report, it may be necessary to revisit the evidence collection or examination and analysis phases of an investigation. The drafts are reviewed amongst all investigation team members and subject member experts engaged during Investigation.
“Once the draft report is finalised, it is shared with the State of Registry, State of Operator, State of Manufacturer or State of Design and any other State that rendered assistance during the Investigation. In accordance with Para 6.3 of ICAO Annex 13, comments from concerned States are sought and reviewed to make required amendments in the draft report,” the official explained.
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The draft report is reviewed internally and submitted to DG, AAIB for acceptance. However, if during consultation or review any issue is identified that may need further deliberation or analysis, the Investigators may be required to gather and analyse additional evidence as may be required to adequately supplement the facts, analysis, conclusions and recommendations of the Draft Report.
The Final Reports of investigations conducted by AAIB are accepted by Director General, AAIB after a thorough process of consultation and review.
Air India crash investigators give update after recovering black box data
Flight recorder data from the Air India crash has been successfully recovered. The next stage of the investigation will involve piecing together the deadly sequence of events which led to the tragedy. A total of 260 people were killed after the aircraft smashed into the ground shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. It was the first fatal incident involving a Dreamliner aircraft, although the model has suffered from several operational failures which have caused injuries. It comes days after Air India was forced to apologise after leaked footage showed the bosses of one of its joint ventures partying just days after the air disaster. The footage showed executives of Air India SATS (AISATS), the airline’s cargo and ground handling arm, dancing to blaring music. The clip was believed to have been filmed at the company’s offices in Gurugam, near Delhi on June 20. Authorities confirmed earlier this week they had identified and handed over 256 of the victims’ bodies.
Investigators have successfully recovered data from the black boxes of Air India Flight 171.
India’s Air Accident Investigation Bureau confirmed it had begun to analyse information from the plane’s flight data and cockpit voice recorders.
The next stage of the investigation will involve piecing together the deadly sequence of events which led to the tragedy that killed 260 people, including all but one of the 242 passengers on board.
Both black boxes were transported from the crash site in Ahmedabad to the AAIB’s lab in Delhi on June 24. Their data was extracted a day later.
While one of the recorders was found within the wreckage, the other was recovered from the roof of a building the aircraft smashed into.
Analysis of the raw data could take some time. The UN recommends countries publish a preliminary report within 30 days of the incident.
It’s guidance states that the final report should be made available in the ‘shortest possible time’, ideally within a year.
In a statement, India’s ministry of civil aviation said: ‘On the evening of 24 June 2025, the team led by DG AAIB with technical members from AAIB and NTSB began the data extraction process.
The tailfin of Flight 171 near the crash site. A total of 260 people were killed after the aircraft smashed into the ground shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (Picture: Xinhua/Shutterstock)
‘The Crash Protection Module (CPM) from the front black box was safely retrieved, and on 25 June, 2025, the memory module was successfully accessed and its data downloaded at the AAIB Lab.
‘The analysis of CVR and FDR data is underway. 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.
‘All actions have been taken in full compliance with domestic laws and international obligations in a time bound manner.’
It comes days after Air India was forced to apologise after leaked footage showed the bosses of one of its joint ventures partying just days after the air disaster.
Viral footage showed executives of Air India SATS (AISATS), the airline’s cargo and ground handling arm, dancing to blaring music.
The clip was believed to have been filmed at the company’s offices in Gurugam, near Delhi on June 20.
AISATS said in a statement: ‘AISATS is aware of a video being circulated on social media that unfortunately is completely out of context.
‘Notwithstanding, we sincerely regret any emotional discomfort this may have caused.’
A total of 19 people died on the ground after the plane smashed into the campus of a medical school housing student accommodation (Picture: AFP)
A picture of two black boxes from an aircraft, which are normally housed in red or orange cases
This was just over a week after the Boeing 787-8 crashed on take off during the flight bound for London Gatwick on June 12.
It was the first fatal incident involving a Dreamliner aircraft, although the model has suffered from several operational failures which have caused injuries.
The tragedy was also Air India’s first fatal hull loss since the bombing of Flight 185 over the Atlantic ocean in 1985.
On the flight deck was Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who had 8,200 flight hours alongside co-pilot Clive Kundar, who had 1,100 hours of flying experience. There were also 10 crew on board.
Authorities confirmed earlier this week they had identified and handed over 256 of the victims’ bodies.
Just one British man, Vishwash Kuman Ramesh, who was sat in seat 11A. survived the crash.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
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