A black box has been recovered from the wreckage of the Air India plane that tragically went down shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The flight data recorder was retrieved by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) within 28 hours of the crash, as confirmed by India’s Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu. Of the 242 passengers onboard, only one survived, while at least eight individuals on the ground also lost their lives when the plane crashed into the Meghani Nagar residential area.
Mr. Kinjarapu described the recovery of the black box as a significant milestone that will assist in understanding the events leading up to the crash. Typically, a commercial airplane is equipped with two black boxes—one for flight data and another for cockpit audio. Investigators have enlisted the help of teams from the United States and the UK in their examination of the accident, and Boeing has extended its support for the inquiry.
Flight AI171 was en route to London's Gatwick Airport when it experienced a catastrophic failure just 60 seconds after departure. The passenger manifest included 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian. As the wreckage remains scattered across a wide area, authorities have begun the grim task of identification; DNA matching is being used for victims due to the extent of their injuries.
Among the few to escape was British national Vishwashkumar Ramesh, who described the terrifying moments leading up to the crash. Recovering in hospital, he expressed disbelief at his survival, while also mourning the loss of fellow passengers. Families of victims remain anxious and devastated, with some, like Imtiaz Ali, emphasizing that they cannot accept their loved ones' deaths until they receive confirmation.
The impact of the crash was significant, with debris strewn over a 200-meter radius. Preliminary reports suggest that at least four medical students and several relatives were among those killed on the ground during the disaster. The identification process is ongoing, with authorities asking families for patience amid the challenging circumstances.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site to survey the damage without speaking to the press. Air India CEO Campbell Wilson shared his condolences and described his visit as a deeply moving experience. In light of this tragedy, India’s aviation regulator has ordered additional checks on Air India’s Boeing 787 fleet as a precautionary measure.
With the investigation continuing, families are clinging to the hope of answers regarding the tragedy that has shattered lives and raised concerns about aviation safety in India.
