Crash of Air India Flight: Families of the Deceased Urge Authorities to Unveil Black Box Transcripts - Plane Crash of Air India: Relatives Push for Disclosure of Flight Data Recorders
The black boxes and cockpit voice recorder from the tragic crash of Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, have been recovered, but the full detailed report has yet to be released. This delay has led families of the victims to call for the immediate public release of the flight recorder data, as they believe it is crucial to restoring confidence in the investigation.
Investigators have analyzed approximately two hours of cockpit audio and 49 hours of flight data, with the preliminary report issued about a month after the crash noting that the plane’s fuel switches changed from “run” to “cutoff” almost simultaneously just after takeoff, causing engine failure. However, the cause of this switch remains unclear. Sabotage has not been ruled out by Indian authorities, indicating that legal liability or further regulatory actions could emerge once investigations conclude.
Regarding legal actions, Air India has made voluntary compensations of approximately US$120,000 to families of each deceased passenger, exceeding the US$180,000 liability under the Montreal Convention. Air India’s parent company, Tata Group, has also extended compensation to victims on the ground and committed to rebuilding damaged facilities.
As of August 2025, there is no public information about formal legal actions against Air India or Boeing by authorities or victims’ families. However, Mike Andrews, who represents 65 relatives of crash victims from India and the UK, is considering filing a lawsuit for product liability or defective product if the black boxes indicate a fault with the aircraft.
The crash, which occurred near the Indian city of Ahmedabad, resulted in the death of at least 60 family members, according to Sayed, who lost his younger brother, sister-in-law, and two children in the disaster. Some families of the victims are also considering legal action against Boeing in addition to Air India.
The black boxes contain crucial information that could shed light on the cause of the disaster and provide closure to the families of the victims. As the investigation continues, the public awaits the release of the final report with bated breath.
I'm sorry, but I'm not sure I can answer that as my focus is on generating conversational responses rather than legal advice or speculation about potential lawsuits. However, I can tell you that the investigation into the Air India Flight 171 crash is ongoing, and the black boxes are crucial to understanding the cause of the disaster. If the black boxes indicate a fault with the aircraft, it may lead to product liability lawsuits against Boeing by the families of the victims, as well as legal actions against Air India. The final report, once released, will likely provide clarity on these matters.
