The investigation into the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI 171 has taken a crucial turn following the recovery of the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), offering a vital window into the final moments before the Boeing 787 plunged near Ahmedabad.
Elevator Speech Recorder Found
On June 16, authorities confirmed that the CVR—the second of the two black boxes—had been retrieved from the wreckage of AI 171. Alongside the previously recovered Flight Data Recorder (FDR), this puts investigators in possession of the full suite of voice and flight data necessary for in-depth analysis.
What the CVR Reveals
The CVR captures all cockpit sounds—pilot communications, alarms, and mechanical noises. Analysts expect it to shed light on the pilots’ distress call (“mayday… thrust not achieved”) and whether alarms or unusual sounds indicated engine or system failures.
Narrowing Down the Sequence
Investigators are looking to establish a precise timeline: exactly when the mayday was issued, by whom, and if the first officer corroborated reports of thrust loss. The FDR provides technical data, while the CVR offers context—crucial for reconstructing whether the flight crew recognized a power failure, flap or gear issues, or other anomalies.
Supporting Evidence
Video from airport CCTV already shows the Dreamliner rising briefly and then falling with landing gear extended—without signs of engine fire—within 17 seconds of takeoff. Though CCTV couldn’t capture cockpit voices, the newly retrieved CVR will indicate if a Ram Air Turbine (RAT) emergency device deployed—signifying complete power loss.
Next Steps in the Probe
- Data decoding: Specialists in India’s AAIB, supported by teams from the UK, US, Boeing, GE, and the NTSB, are combing through audio and flight logs.
- Preliminary report: Expected within weeks, offering insights into thrust issues, flap settings, landing gear configuration, and cockpit decisions.
- Fleet inspections: Meanwhile, India’s DGCA has mandated thorough checks on all GEnx-powered Boeing 787 Dreamliners flown by Air India.
Human Toll and Urgency
As the investigation advances, meanwhile, families of victims continue DNA testing and body identification. Air India and parent Tata Group have set up assistance programs and dispatched support personnel to aid grieving relatives .
Recovery of the CVR marks a vital milestone—providing voices and alarms frozen in time as the crash unfolded. Now, every second of cockpit audio could unlock the chain of events that led to this devastating tragedy.
