Black Box Recovered from Air India 787 Crash Site Near Ahmedabad

  Indian authorities recovered the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder, collectively known as the black box, from the wreckage of an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner that crashed near Ahmedabad on June 11, killing 242 passengers and crew.

The discovery, announced by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), marks a critical milestone in investigating the cause of the tragedy, India’s deadliest aviation disaster since 1996. The crash site, spanning 5 kilometers, was secured by the Indian Air Force to facilitate evidence collection.

The black box, found intact despite extensive debris, was transported to the National Transportation Safety Board in Washington, D.C., for analysis, with preliminary results anticipated within 30 days. Initial findings from the DGCA point to engine failure during takeoff, though the investigation has not ruled out other factors, including maintenance issues or external interference. The aircraft, operated by the Tata Group since Air India’s 2022 privatization, was part of a modernized fleet, raising questions about oversight following a 2024 safety audit. The Indian government announced a ₹10 crore compensation package for victims’ families, with a national mourning period declared.

The crash prompted global aviation authorities, including Nigeria’s Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), to mandate inspections of Boeing aircraft, given the reliance on similar models by carriers like Air Peace. The incident, occurring amid heightened scrutiny of Boeing’s safety record, led to a 5% drop in its stock price to $203.368 USD. The black box’s recovery, a pivotal step, holds the key to understanding the disaster’s cause, reinforcing the need for enhanced global aviation safety protocols to prevent future tragedies.