The flight data recorder—commonly referred to as the “black box”—from Air India Flight AI 171 has been recovered from the crash site in Ahmedabad, offering hope that investigators will soon unravel the final moments of the tragic accident. Meanwhile, bereaved relatives continue waiting anxiously for confirmation of their loved ones’ fates and hope for answers.
Black Box Located Near Crash Site
On June 13, authorities confirmed the recovery of one of the aircraft’s flight data recorders from the rooftop of a hostel mess building at B.J. Medical College in Meghani Nagar, Ahmedabad. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) confirmed that this flight data recorder (FDR) will provide vital flight parameters and cockpit information during the crash sequence. Officials expect preliminary findings related to engine thrust, aircraft controls, and performance to emerge within a week.
Families in Limbo
As of three days after the crash, grieving families still await final identification of many bodies. Only 11 DNA matches have been confirmed, with just three sets of remains released, according to authorities—a slow pace that has caused distress among relatives. Dozens of family members, still camped outside the hospital morgue, reported police and doctors staying overnight to gather dental records and DNA samples—a painstaking process made more challenging by severely burned remains.
Investigation Intensifies
India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered immediate safety inspections of all Boeing 787 aircraft in the country after this first fatal hull loss of the type. The inspections include engine performance, landing gear mechanism, fuel system, and flight control configuration. International investigative teams from the UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch and the US National Transportation Safety Board have arrived to assist in analysing the recovered recorder data and any evidence gleaned from the cockpit voice recorder (CVR), once also recovered.
Key Clues in Sight
Experts say the flight data recorder should shed light on whether dual engine failure, flap misconfiguration, or the landing gear position played a role. A chilling mayday transmission indicated a failure to gain thrust: “Thrust not achieved. Falling,” heard less than a minute after takeoff. Now, investigators will seek to corroborate that voice clip with telemetry data to determine if the declinations in altitude and engine performance were sudden or gradual.
The Path Ahead
Once both black boxes are analysed, the AAIB plans to release an initial report within weeks, with a comprehensive final report expected in around three months. In the meantime, Air India, under Tata Group ownership, has pledged full cooperation, setting up helplines and issuing compensation packages—₹1 crore plus ₹25 lakh per victim—to assist affected families.
Recovery of the flight data recorder marks a pivotal milestone in the investigation into one of India’s deadliest air disasters. Now, both data analysis and the urgent identification of victims will define whether families can find closure and whether broader lessons can emerge to prevent a repeat of this tragedy.
