Following the tragic crash of Air India flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on Thursday, June 12, 2025, the recovery of the aircraft's "black boxes" has become a focal point of the investigation. The flight, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner carrying 242 people, crashed shortly after takeoff, killing 241 people on board and also causing fatalities on the ground. Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national, was the sole survivor. One of the two black boxes has been recovered.
In the aftermath of such disasters, these devices are crucial in piecing together the events leading up to the crash. But what exactly is a black box, and how does it help investigators determine the cause of an aviation accident?
Despite the name, a black box isn't actually black. It's painted bright orange or yellow to make it easier to locate amidst wreckage. It is also rectangular in shape. The term "black box" is a historical reference, stemming from early models that were housed in black, heat-resistant cases. Modern black boxes are far more sophisticated, but the original moniker has stuck.
A black box is essentially an electronic recording device placed in an aircraft for the purpose of facilitating the investigation of aviation accidents and incidents. More specifically, a black box is actually two separate pieces of equipment: the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR).
Black boxes are designed to withstand extreme conditions. They are built to survive high-impact crashes, explosions, intense heat, and prolonged submersion in water. The recording devices are housed inside a robust casing, made of materials like steel or titanium, and are shock-mounted to further protect the delicate electronic components. They also contain an underwater locator beacon (ULB) that emits a sonar pulse for at least 30 days, helping search teams locate the black box if the aircraft crashes into water.
Data retrieved from the black boxes is invaluable to accident investigators. By analyzing the FDR and CVR recordings, investigators can recreate the sequence of events leading up to a crash. This can help determine if the accident was caused by mechanical failure, pilot error, weather conditions, or a combination of factors.
For example, in the case of the Air India crash, the black boxes could reveal whether there were any engine malfunctions, control system failures, or other technical issues that contributed to the accident. The CVR could shed light on the crew's response to any emergencies, their communication with each other and air traffic control, and any warnings or alarms that may have sounded in the cockpit. According to initial reports, the pilots issued a mayday call shortly after takeoff.
The analysis of black box data is a meticulous and time-consuming process. The devices are typically sent to specialized forensic laboratories, where experts use sophisticated equipment to download the data and synchronize the FDR and CVR recordings. The data is then analyzed in conjunction with other evidence, such as wreckage examination, air traffic control records, and witness statements, to build a comprehensive picture of what happened.
The information gleaned from black boxes has not only been instrumental in determining the causes of past accidents but has also led to significant improvements in aviation safety. Analysis of flight recorder data has resulted in industry-wide safety enhancements, the implementation of new training protocols, and aircraft design modifications.
