Air Crash Victims' Families Seek Unveiling of Flight Recorders' Data
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) in India, along with investigators from the UK and the US, are actively working to determine the cause of the June Air India Flight 171 crash. The preliminary report, released on July 8, 2025, has shed some light on the incident, but many questions remain unanswered [1][2].
According to the report, the Boeing 787's fuel switches flipped from "run" to "cutoff" moments before impact, causing both engines to lose power [1][2]. However, the preliminary report did not identify who cut off the fuel or the cause behind this action.
Two enhanced airborne flight recorders, which combine flight data and cockpit voice functions, were recovered by mid-June. The first recorder's data was successfully downloaded on June 24 in Delhi, providing about two hours of cockpit audio and 49 hours of flight data. Unfortunately, the second recorder was substantially damaged, preventing conventional data retrieval [1][2].
The cockpit voice recording suggests that one pilot asked why fuel was cut off, to which the second pilot replied that he had not cut off fuel [1][2]. However, the report did not reach any conclusions or assign blame.
As of August 12, 2025, only the preliminary report has been formally issued, and a comprehensive final report or full data release from the flight recorders is yet to be made publicly available [2]. Families of the crash victims have demanded the immediate release of the black box data.
The current status of the investigation leaves many questions unanswered, with the authorities continuing their efforts to determine the cause of the incident and release further information as it becomes available.
[1] https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/air-india-crash-preliminary-report-out-no-conclusions-on-cause/article64724552.ece [2] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-57903205
The finance department of Boeing, the aircraft's manufacturer, is now under scrutiny as investigators delve deeper into the cause of the June Air India Flight 171 crash. The transportation industry is closely monitoring the investigation's progress, as the outcome may potentially impact aviation safety standards globally.
