[aviation news]
On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, tragically crashed in AhmedabadIndia, claiming 241 of 242 lives on board and 34 on the ground.
Investigators have now turned their focus to the aircraft’s black boxes—the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR)—to uncover the cause of this devastating accident.
Investigators have successfully extracted data from both black boxes, and are now analyzing it in detail. This marks a critical step in the investigation.
Recovery of the Black Boxes
Investigators recovered the black boxes shortly after the crash. The CVR, which records cockpit conversations and ambient sounds, was retrieved on June 13, 2025.
On June 16, investigators found the FDR, which logs critical flight parameters like altitude, airspeed, and engine performance.
Both devices were transported to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) lab in Delhi by June 24. Despite visible damage to the units, experts remained optimistic about retrieving usable data.
The AAIB, with support from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), completed the data extraction by June 25, 2025.
The process involved accessing the Crash Protection Module (CPM) and memory module within the black boxes.
This delicate task required specialized equipment and expertise to ensure the integrity of the data. The successful extraction is a significant milestone, as damaged black boxes can sometimes yield incomplete or corrupted information.
What the Black Boxes Reveal
The CVR will provide critical insights into the final moments of Flight AI171.It captures cockpit conversations, crew responses to emergencies, and ambient sounds, such as alarms or mechanical noises.
Notably, investigators confirmed that Captain Sumeet Sabharwal had issued a “Mayday” call seconds before the crash. Whilst, this was already known, further cockpit audio could reveal fuller details of exactly what the crew was dealing with.
The FDR, on the other hand, records technical data, including flight control inputs, engine performance, and the aircraft’s trajectory.
This information will allow investigators to reconstruct the flight’s final moments, pinpointing anomalies like sudden changes in altitude or engine malfunctions. Together, the CVR and FDR data will form a comprehensive picture of the events leading to the tragedy.
Ongoing Analysis and Next Steps
The extracted data is now being analyzed by the AAIB, with assistance from international experts. This process involves cross-referencing CVR audio with FDR parameters to identify the sequence of events.
Investigators are also examining radar data, air traffic control communications, and wreckage evidence to corroborate findings.
A preliminary report is expected within 30 days, offering initial insights into the crash’s cause. However, a final report, which will include detailed conclusions and safety recommendations, may take 12 to 18 months to complete.
Conclusion
The successful extraction of the data from Air India flight AI171’s black boxes is a vital step toward understanding the cause of the accident.
The aviation industry is closely watching this investigation, as its outcomes bear potential implications for a range of stakeholders.
As investigators analyze the CVR and FDR data, the answers also serve to bring closure to the victims’ families.
Share this content:
