Breakthrough in Air India Crash Probe: Data Extracted From Black Boxes
New Delhi:
In a major development in the investigation of the Air India crash, authorities have successfully downloaded and begun analysing data from the aircraft’s black boxes. This brings investigators significantly closer to determining why AI 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed just 36 seconds after take-off on June 12, killing all 241 people on board and 34 on the ground.
The two flight recorders — the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) — had been damaged in the crash, raising concerns about data retrieval. Initially, officials considered sending them to the US for forensic analysis. However, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has now managed to extract data from the Crash Protection Module (CPM) and memory units locally.
The government confirmed that both black boxes — one retrieved from the rooftop of the hostel struck by the aircraft and the other from the wreckage — were securely transported to the AAIB lab in Delhi on Tuesday. Data extraction began the same day and was completed by Wednesday.
The FDR holds crucial technical data, such as altitude, airspeed, engine performance, and control inputs, while the CVR contains audio recordings from the cockpit, including pilot conversations and ambient sounds.
“The analysis of CVR and FDR data is underway. These efforts aim to reconstruct the sequence of events leading to the crash and identify contributing factors to improve aviation safety,” the government said.
Key Questions Investigators Aim to Answer:
- What did Captain Sabharwal communicate in the distress call?
Moments before the crash, a distress signal was sent to Ahmedabad ATC. The pilot reportedly said “Mayday, mayday…” and may have indicated a loss of power or thrust. The CVR will confirm the exact wording and provide insight into the nature of the emergency. - When was the mayday call made?
The aircraft took off at 1:39 PM and crashed 36 seconds later. The exact timestamp of the distress call will help establish how much time the pilots had to respond to the emergency.
What Might Have Caused the Crash?
While the cause remains under investigation, current theories point to a dual engine failure or a complete hydraulic or electronic systems malfunction. Video evidence appears to show the deployment of the aircraft’s Ram Air Turbine (RAT), typically used in such emergencies.
In the coming days, a parliamentary committee is scheduled to meet to review aviation safety measures, including maintenance protocols. Officials from the Civil Aviation Ministry, airline representatives, and Boeing executives have been summoned and are expected to face critical questions.
News Source : Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
