Air India crash: Black box recovered from site of mishap
NEW DELHI, India: The flight data recorder from the crashed Air India plane was found on June 13. This vital discovery may help investigators find out what caused the accident, which killed 241 people on board and several others on the ground.
The plane, a Boeing 787 going to London, crashed into a medical college hostel just seconds after taking off from Ahmedabad airport on June 12. It went down in a residential area of Ahmedabad, a city in northwestern India.
The black box, which is the digital flight data recorder, was found on a rooftop near the crash site. India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau said it had started its investigation "with full force." Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said on social media that finding the black box was a big step forward.
Mechanical engineer Paul Fromme from the UK's Institution of Mechanical Engineers explained that the device will show details like engine settings and control positions. The cockpit voice recorder will also reveal what the pilots said. Fromme said this data could quickly show if the plane lost power or lift after takeoff, which would help identify the cause of the crash.
India's civil aviation authority also ordered Air India to inspect all of its Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 Dreamliners with General Electric GEnx engines. These checks will include things like fuel systems, cabin air compressors, engine controls, hydraulic systems, and takeoff settings.
Investigators continued searching through the wreckage of what is now considered one of the worst plane crashes in India's history. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the lone surviving passenger a day after the crash. He later posted on social media: "We are all devastated by the air tragedy in Ahmedabad. The loss of so many lives in such a sudden and heartbreaking manner is beyond words."
Aviation expert Jeff Guzzetti, who has worked for U.S. aviation safety agencies, said that if the black box is in good condition, investigators might have answers to some key questions by next week. He said they would check if the wing flaps were correctly set, if the engines lost power, if any alarms went off in the cockpit, and whether the crew entered the correct information about the weather and plane weight. Mistakes in this data could lead to flap problems.
At least five people on the ground were killed, and around 50 were injured. Many more victims may still be found as searches continue. DNA tests are being used to identify the bodies, many of which are badly burned.
The investigation will include experts from the U.S., such as the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Boeing, and General Electric. Professor Graham Braithwaite from Cranfield University said the primary goal of the investigation is to prevent such accidents in the future. He said teams from different countries and companies would work together but under strict rules to keep the investigation fair and independent.
Meanwhile, on a separate Air India flight (AI 379) from Phuket, Thailand, to New Delhi, a bomb threat message was found in a bathroom after takeoff.
The plane made an emergency landing at Phuket. All 156 passengers were safely evacuated while authorities searched the aircraft. Nothing dangerous was found. The flight continued later in the day, though one passenger chose not to get back on board.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
24 minutes ago
- News18
Air India Won't Fly Any Aircraft ‘Where There Is Any Doubt,' Says CEO After Ahmedabad Crash
Last Updated: An Air India flight crashed on June 12, just minutes after taking off from Ahmedabad airport. The tragic accident claimed the lives of 241 passengers onboard, leaving one survivor. Days after the Ahmedabad plane crash that claimed over 270 lives, Air India CEO and Managing Director Campbell Wilson said on Friday that the airline would not operate any flight 'where there is any doubt." Assuring safety to its employees and customers, he said, 'We have also, as a matter of abundant precaution, voluntarily decided to continue additional pre-flight checks for the time being. Where there is any doubt, we will not release aircraft – of any type – for service." Speaking about the tragic accident on June 12, Wilson said that the airline, owned by Tata Group, will continue to support those who have been affected. 'Around 500 colleagues from Air India and 17 other Tata companies remain in Ahmedabad to help the families of passengers, crew and those on the ground. Progress is being made, together with the authorities, on reconciling families with their loved ones, and as of this morning more than 200 have received some degree of solace and closure." he said. 'This is equally true for those of our colleagues, who we will support in the same way. You may have read social media commentary on the perceived lack of visibility of Air India at the services held for our colleagues. I can assure you that we have had senior representation at each and every one. We are, however, taking care that our presence does not cause disruption at a time so important for families and loved ones, as a matter of respect." added the CEO. Air India has been taking several safety measures after a London-bound Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed into a hostel complex of BJ Medical College in the Meghani Nagar area of Gujarat's Ahmedabad minutes after taking off on June 12. The incident left the nation shocked, raising severe concerns over the safety of passengers. India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is currently investigating the incident. First Published: June 20, 2025, 21:30 IST
Mint
25 minutes ago
- Mint
‘Will not release aircraft, if…': Air India CEO Campbell Wilson assures public of transparency after Ahmedabad tragedy
Air India Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director (MD) Campbell Wilson on Friday reassured the public and employees that the airline's fleet – particularly its Boeing 787 aircraft – remains safe to operate following comprehensive checks, and that the carrier is exercising maximum caution in the wake of the AI171 tragedy. According to an ANI report, Wilson said that additional precautionary checks on Air India's operating Boeing 787 fleet have been completed as requested by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). 'Have our aircraft been deemed safe? Yes. We have completed the additional precautionary checks on our operating Boeing 787 fleet as requested by the DGCA, who have publicly declared that they meet required standards,' Wilson was quoted as saying. "We have also, as a matter of abundant precaution, voluntarily decided to continue additional pre-flight checks for the time being. Where there is any doubt, we will not release aircraft - of any type - for service," he added. On June 12, a London-bound Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed into a hostel complex of BJ Medical College in the Meghani Nagar area of Gujarat's Ahmedabad shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The tragedy claimed 241 lives out of 242 onboard, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. Assuring the public and Air India employees of continued support and transparency in the aftermath of the AI171 plane crash, the CEO said that the airline and the Tata Group will stand by the families of victims and affected staff long after the immediate crisis subsides. "We continue to mourn for the lives lost in the AI171 tragedy, and to support those who have been affected. Around 500 colleagues from Air India and 17 other Tata companies remain in Ahmedabad to help the families of passengers, crew and those on the ground. Progress is being made, together with the authorities, on reconciling families with their loved ones, and as of this morning more than 200 have received some degree of solace and closure," he said. "We will continue supporting those affected long after the work in Ahmedabad is done for, as our Chairman has said, these families are now Tata families," CEO Wilson added. "This is equally true for those of our colleagues, who we will support in the same way. You may have read social media commentary on the perceived lack of visibility of Air India at the services held for our colleagues. I can assure you that we have had senior representation at each and every one. We are, however, taking care that our presence does not cause disruption at a time so important for families and loved ones, as a matter of respect," he further said. According to the report, the CEO also said that Air India is supporting everyone, including staff who have served in Ahmedabad upon their return to base with a mandatory break and counselling. "The counselling services, which are confidential and provided by professionals, continue to be available to everyone and I encourage you to avail of it," he stated. 'What happened? There are many theories but, as the accident is now under official investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, it is not appropriate for us to comment or speculate. We are providing all information requested by the AAIB and are cooperating completely. It is vital that the facts, whatever they may be, are known so that we and the industry at large can learn from them,' Wilson said. Replying to whether a report would be available, he said, "This is completely up to the AAIB. The final report can take many months, though the AAIB may choose to issue interim updates or reports. If there is any discovery during the investigation that suggests airlines or suppliers need to change something urgently, we have confidence that such information would be shared quickly. For our part, we will be transparent with what is shared with us." 'Yes. We have completed the additional precautionary checks on our operating Boeing 787 fleet as requested by the DGCA, who have publicly declared that they meet required standards. We have also, as a matter of abundant precaution, voluntarily decided to continue additional pre-flight checks for the time being. Where there is any doubt, we will not release aircraft - of any type - for service,' the CEO said. When asked about the reduction in some flights, Wilson said, "The additional pre-flight checks we are doing reduces the number of hours aircraft are available to operate, which - also considering the extra flight time arising from new airspace closures in the Middle East, on top of the Pakistan closure - is why we have taken the decision to reduce the amount of flying over the coming weeks. We will progressively restore when the time is right." Replying to the impact on Air India's future plans, he said, "This has been a tragic event and we will learn whatever we can from it so that we are stronger in future. However, our aim in every respect, be it safety, quality, service, scale, reach, professionalism or any other dimension, remains the same if not higher than before."
NDTV
2 hours ago
- NDTV
UK Navy Declines Air India's Hangar Space Offer To Park Grounded F-35B: Sources
New Delhi: The Royal Navy's crown jewel F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jet, which has been parked in the open in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram for six days, will not be moved inside a hangar, as requested by the British navy, sources said. The American-origin F-35B - the most expensive fighter jet in terms of programme cost - is packed with advanced technologies that Britain may not want others to take a closer look at, sources said, adding this could be one of the reasons why the Royal Navy declined Air India's offer to allocate hangar space to park the aircraft, away from the elements. It is highly likely that concerns over "protected technologies" may have delayed any decision on the Royal Navy's part to take the F-35B inside a hangar. While they have so far declined the offer, they may consider moving it inside the hangar for a final inspection and repair, sources said. The British F-35B made an unscheduled landing in Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on June 14. The jet, one of the most advanced of its kind in the world, has become an unusual and high-profile presence at the airport, drawing attention from aviation enthusiasts and onlookers. The aircraft is part of the UK's HMS Prince of Wales carrier strike group, currently deployed in the Indo-Pacific region. The carrier group recently completed joint maritime exercises with the Indian Navy. Since the F-35B's arrival in Kerala, British aviation engineers have been working intensively to fix a technical snag in the aircraft's hydraulic systems. Despite their efforts, the issue remains unresolved, delaying the fighter jet's return to its mother ship. The aircraft remains parked at the airport under a strict security cordon. Initially, the F-35B pilot contacted Thiruvananthapuram airport and sought clearance for landing citing low fuel. The next day, the Indian Air Force (IAF) confirmed that it was an emergency landing, and the IAF would be providing all necessary support. The pilot and Royal Navy technicians are at the airport, looking into the mechanical issues.
