Recovered black box data under analysis

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has completed the recovery and begun analysis of data from the black boxes of Air India Flight AI-171, following the tragic crash earlier this month. The investigation is being carried out in accordance with international aviation norms under ICAO Annex 13 and India's Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2017.

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According to an official update released by the Press Information Bureau, the AAIB constituted a multidisciplinary investigation team on June 13, 2025, immediately after the incident. The team is led by the Director General of AAIB and includes an aviation medicine specialist, an air traffic control officer, and representatives from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), as required by international protocol since the aircraft was manufactured and designed in the United States.

Black Box recovery and transport

The Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR) were recovered from the crash site in Ahmedabad—one from a rooftop on June 13 and the second from debris on June 16. Both devices were handled under strict Standard Operating Procedures, with continuous police protection and CCTV surveillance to ensure data integrity.

On June 24, the black boxes were transported from Ahmedabad to Delhi aboard Indian Air Force aircraft. The front black box reached the AAIB laboratory at 2:00 p.m., followed by the rear unit at 5:15 p.m. the same day.

Data extraction underway

Later that evening, the data extraction process began under the supervision of the DG, AAIB. The Crash Protection Module of the front black box was successfully removed, and by June 25, the memory module was accessed and its contents downloaded.

Preliminary analysis of the CVR and FDR is currently ongoing. Investigators are working to reconstruct the final moments of Flight AI-171 to determine the sequence of events and identify contributing factors. The aim is to improve future aviation safety and prevent similar incidents.

Authorities emphasized that all procedures have been followed in a time-bound manner, in full compliance with both Indian regulations and international obligations.

 

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