Black Box Recovered from Air India AI171 Crash: Clues Await Decoding

Ahmedabad, India, June 13, 2025 – Investigators have found the Black Box from Air India Flight AI171, which crashed near Ahmedabad airport on June 12, killing 241 of 242 onboard. The device, recovered from the wreckage, could unlock answers to one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters. Here’s the latest on this crucial development.

Where and How It Was Found

The recovery was a breakthrough:

• The Flight Data Recorder was located on a rooftop near the crash site in Meghani Nagar, not Sarkhej as rumored, about 300 meters from the main wreckage.
• Its outer casing is damaged but the memory module appears intact, offering hope for data retrieval.
• The device was sent to the DGCA’s forensic lab in Delhi, with Boeing experts assisting in decoding.

The find marks a key step forward.

What the Black Box Holds

The recorder is a treasure trove:

• It stores 25 hours of flight data, including altitude, speed, engine performance, and cockpit alarms.
• Pilot communications with air traffic control (ATC) are captured, shedding light on the final moments.
• An X post read, “The Black Box could tell us why AI171 went down—prayers for answers.”

The data promises vital insights.

What Witnesses and ATC Report

Clues are emerging:

• ATC logs confirm a Mayday call at 625 feet, contrary to rumors of none, with pilots noting a sudden issue before contact was lost.
• A nearby resident said, “The plane’s left side tilted sharply, then it exploded in flames.”
• Initial reports suggest the landing gear remained down, hinting at a technical glitch.

These accounts guide the probe.

Big Questions Loom

The crash raises concerns:

• Did a mechanical failure in the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner’s General Electric GEnx engines or systems cause the crash?
• Could gusty monsoon winds have destabilized the plane at low altitude?
• Were there gaps in pilot training for this aircraft type, despite Captain Sumeet Sabharwal’s 8,200 flight hours?

The answers will shape aviation safety.

Global Eyes on the Crash

The world is watching:

• Five Boeing engineers are heading to India to aid the DGCA and Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) in analyzing the Black Box.
• The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has urged closer checks on 787s, though no formal global inspection note was issued.
• Air India has grounded its 12 other 787s for safety reviews.

The crash has far-reaching impact.

What Happens Next

The investigation presses on:

• Search teams are still hunting for the Cockpit Voice Recorder, last traced near the hostel crash site.
• DNA testing is underway to identify victims, with one survivor, Viswash Kumar Ramesh, recovering in hospital.
• A preliminary report is expected within days, but full findings may take 6 to 12 months.

The quest for truth continues.