Plane Crash Leads to Retrieval of Second Flight Recorder
After the devastating crash of an Air India passenger plane, investigators are now piecing together the puzzle, uncovering critical clues from the recovered black boxes. The cockpit voice recorder, secured at the crash site in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, was the first to be found. The flight data recorder, essential for determining the cause of the disaster, had been recovered earlier.
The tragic accident, which left at least 279 people dead, has left a trail of sorrow and confusion. Experts hope that analyzing the black boxes will shed light on the circumstances surrounding the crash. The cockpit voice recorder captures conversations in the cockpit, while both devices are commonly referred to as black boxes.
The Boeing 787-8 plummeted into a residential area shortly after takeoff from the airport, causing an enormous fireball. Air India announced that 241 people on board were killed, and one British passenger miraculously survived. The plane was en route to London. The government is yet to release the total death toll, as the identification process of the victims continues.
The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board is also part of the investigation, as the aircraft originated from the U.S. In response to the crisis, Pramod Kumar Mishra, the chief secretary of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, visited Gujarat to ensure prompt aid, thorough investigations, and comprehensive support for the families of the victims.
As of June 17, 2025, the latest findings reveal that the total death toll stands at 279, with 241 passengers and crew, and 38 on the ground. Only one passenger, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, survived. Forensic teams are heavily relying on DNA matching due to the severe damage and charring of victims' remains. As of June 16, 119 DNA samples have been matched, and 76 bodies have been handed over to families.
On a positive note, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, the lone survivor, is now recovering in the hospital. The investigation is ongoing, with the analysis of the black box data and continued forensic work crucial to determining the cause of the crash. Aviation experts are investigating several potential causes, including dual engine thrust loss, bird strike, pilot error, or a technical fault. Extended surveillance of Air India’s Boeing 787 fleet has also been initiated.
The investigation into the Air India plane crash has reached out to international bodies, with the United States' National Transportation Safety Board involved, given the aircraft's origin. The aftermath of this tragic incident has also extended to the finance industry, as insurance companies grapple with the financial implications of the loss of 279 lives, including both passengers and ground victims. Furthermore, this accident has drawn attention from the general news sector, as media outlets worldwide cover the ongoing investigations and the recovery process of the lone survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh.
