The Big Reveal from the Black Boxes
Flight crash recorders yield vital information from Air India catastrophe
After a tumultuous journey, India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) in collaboration with the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has finally unraveled the secrets of the devastating Boeing 787 Dreamliner crash on June 12, 2025, shortly following takeoff from Ahmedabad. The coveted black boxes - the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR) - were eventually recovered on June 13 and June 16, and the lengthy data extraction process started on June 25 at the AAIB's new lab in Delhi.
Unveiling the Inner Workings
These treasure troves of information offer a glimpse into critical aspects like cockpit audio, engine performance, airspeed, altitude, control surface positions, and system warnings. The focus of investigators, however, remains on the engine thrust, flap settings, landing gear status, and the deployment of the emergency Ram Air Turbine (RAT) during the crash sequence.
The Art of Secrets and Safety
In line with international aviation regulations, India has ensured airtight security for these essential pieces since the recovery. While the delay in initiating data extraction, approximately two weeks after the disaster, has raised some eyebrows among aviation experts, the government asserts it aligns with both domestic and international guidelines.
Homegrown Knowledge
This unfortunate incident marks the first time India has administered black box analysis entirely within the country. The combined forces of the AAIB and NTSB are diligently working together in the Delhi lab to unlock the specifics hidden within the front recorder. In due course, the rear device will also undergo the same scrutiny.
Up Next
- In the coming week, preliminary findings are expected to surface, followed by a detailed interim report within 30 days of the crash.
- The high-profile investigation panel includes experts from the AAIB, NTSB, and engine/component manufacturers like Boeing and GE.
- The primary goal is to determine the root causes of the disaster, which could potentially lead to updated safety directives for Air India's Boeing 787 fleet and broader aviation safety improvements.
The data from these black boxes holds the key to understanding the chain of events that culminated in the heart-wrenching crash - India's deadliest aviation disaster in more than a decade. The insights gleaned may shed light on system performance, pilot actions, and possible structural or mechanical deficiencies, paving the way for enhancements aimed at averting similar tragedies in the future.
[Enrichment Data: The preliminary findings from the analysis of the black boxes suggest that the aircraft had its emergency-power generator operating at the time of the crash. The AAIB and NTSB are working meticulously to reconstruct the sequence of events leading to the accident and identify contributing factors that could potentially improve aviation safety and prevent future incidents[2][4]. No definitive causal conclusions have yet been publicly disclosed, but the active emergency-power generator raises the possibility of a power-related issue during or before the crash[4].]
- The newly discovered details from the black boxes might reveal crucial information about the system performance, pilot actions, and potential structural or mechanical issues during the Boeing 787 Dreamliner crash in India.
- The preliminary findings from the black box analysis suggest that the aircraft was operating with its emergency-power generator at the time of the crash, which could hint at a power-related issue during or leading to the accident.
- Following the Heart-wrenching crash of a Boeing 787 in India, which is the country's deadliest aviation disaster in over a decade, the aviation industry is closely monitoring the investigation to prevent future incidents and implement necessary safety improvements.
- To enhance general news coverage, the focus on the Indian aviation industry in the coming weeks will be on the preliminary findings and interim report from the investigation into the Boeing 787 disaster, examining the potential root cause and steps to improve aviation safety.
