Ahmedabad Air India Crash: Data From Black Box Retrieved, Memory Module Accessed

In a major breakthrough in the investigation into the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has successfully retrieved and downloaded the data from the black box of the ill-fated aircraft, the government confirmed on Thursday. The memory module of the critical device was accessed on Wednesday, a fortnight after the deadly accident.

This development is a crucial step towards understanding the final moments of the London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which crashed into a hostel complex shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on June 12. The crash resulted in the deaths of 270 people, including 241 of the 242 individuals on board, in one of India’s worst aviation disasters.

The black box, which consists of the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and the Flight Data Recorder (FDR), was recovered from the crash site on June 13. On Tuesday, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu had dismissed speculation that the recorders would be sent abroad, confirming that the examination was being handled by the AAIB in India.

Meanwhile, Air India sources said the top leadership of the Tata Group is in direct contact with the families of the victims. Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran has reportedly referred to the affected families as the “Tata family” and directed his team to provide all necessary support beyond the mandated compensation.

Chandrasekaran has also instructed Air India’s management to hold meetings with employee unions and the airline’s engineering department to gather feedback on operational and maintenance issues, ensuring smoother and safer operations going forward.

A high-level panel is probing the cause of the crash. Following the incident, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ordered enhanced surveillance of Air India’s entire Boeing 787 fleet.

Air India CEO and MD, Campbell Wilson, had earlier stated that the crashed aircraft was “well-maintained,” having undergone a major check in June 2023. Acknowledging the deep sorrow caused by the loss of 241 passengers and crew, and 29 people on the ground, he assured full cooperation with the authorities. “We are fully committed to doing all we can to support the families impacted and are also working closely with authorities to understand the cause of this tragedy,” Wilson said.