Investigators are extracting and analyzing critical data from the black boxes of the Air India Boeing 787-8 aircraft that crashed in Ahmedabad on June 12. The process is taking place at the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau’s (AAIB) newly inaugurated. Its a high-tech laboratory in Delhi.
AAIB’s New Lab Enhances Probe Capabilities
The AAIB lab, developed with support from government-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), was inaugurated in April. It has significantly boosted India’s capacity to investigate air crashes with precision. The facility can repair damaged flight data recorders (FDRs) and cockpit voice recorders (CVRs), commonly known as black boxes, and retrieve flight data with high accuracy.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) confirmed that the extraction process is progressing steadily. The black box data will help determine the final moments of Air India flight AI171, which went down near Ahmedabad, killing several passengers.
Why Black Box Data Is Crucial
Black boxes store a wealth of information about an aircraft’s systems. Including engine performance, flight path, speed, altitude, and pilot communications. Investigators rely heavily on these recordings to reconstruct events that led to an air accident.
According to the MoCA, the AAIB began the investigation “promptly and as per international standards,” soon after the crash was reported.
Multinational Team Leading the Probe
The crash investigation is being led by AAIB Director General GVG Yugandhar. He is joined by a multi-disciplinary team that includes an aviation medicine expert, an air traffic control officer, and technical advisors from the US-based National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
The NTSB’s involvement is required under global aviation norms, since the Boeing 787 was designed and manufactured in the United States. NTSB investigators are working closely with Indian officials to analyze technical data and review the aircraft’s last recorded parameters.
Crash of AI171 Raises Safety Questions
The June 12 crash of flight AI171 shocked the aviation community. The Boeing 787-8 aircraft was on a routine international route when it reportedly encountered a critical malfunction. Further, details about the incident are yet to be released pending investigation.
Air India, owned by Tata Group, has since grounded several aircraft for precautionary checks. CEO Campbell Wilson also reiterated the airline’s full support to the probe and promised increased safety vigilance.
AAIB’s Modern Tools Help Fast-Track Probe
Until recently, India depended on foreign labs for complex black box decoding. Now, the new AAIB lab is fully equipped to conduct in-house analysis, significantly reducing investigation timelines.
MoCA said the lab can now handle multiple accident probes simultaneously. This improvement is a major step in enhancing India’s self-reliance in aviation safety.
Domestic and International Implications
The investigation’s findings could influence safety protocols for Dreamliner aircraft worldwide. Aviation experts say this crash may lead to a reassessment of existing systems onboard Boeing 787 aircraft, depending on the final report.
Meanwhile, families of the victims await answers. Public interest in the case remains high, especially given the aircraft’s modern build and the rarity of fatal crashes involving the 787 fleet.
The black box analysis from the Air India Boeing 787 crash is a pivotal step in uncovering the truth behind the tragic incident. With India’s upgraded AAIB lab and international collaboration, authorities are confident in achieving a transparent and timely conclusion.
As India strengthens its aviation safety infrastructure, this case stands as a critical test of readiness, technology, and global cooperation.