The investigation into the Air India Flight AI-171 crash in Ahmedabad, which occurred on June 12, 2025, has progressed with the recovery of the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR). This crucial piece of equipment, often referred to as one of the aircraft's "black boxes," was retrieved from the crash site on Sunday, according to officials. The recovery of the CVR marks a significant step forward in determining the cause of the tragic accident that claimed the lives of approximately 270 people.
The Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed shortly after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, impacting the campus of a medical college in Meghaninagar. The devastating event resulted in the death of 241 of the 242 passengers and crew on board, as well as 29 people on the ground. Among the victims were reportedly 53 British citizens, 7 Portuguese nationals, one Canadian citizen, and 181 Indians. The incident prompted immediate investigation efforts by both domestic and international agencies.
News of the CVR's recovery was confirmed by P.K. Mishra, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who inspected the crash site and met with officials involved in the rescue and investigation efforts. The CVR is expected to provide vital insights into the events leading up to the crash.
The CVR's primary function is to capture all audio within the cockpit. This includes conversations between the pilots, radio communications with air traffic control, any audible alarms or warning signals, and even ambient sounds. By analyzing these recordings, investigators hope to identify any human errors, mechanical failures, or miscommunications that may have contributed to the disaster.
Earlier, the Flight Data Recorder (FDR), the other "black box," was recovered from the crash site. The FDR records a variety of parameters related to the aircraft's performance, such as altitude, speed, direction, and engine performance. When analyzed together, the CVR and FDR provide a comprehensive, moment-by-moment account of the flight's final moments.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is leading the investigation, with the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) conducting a parallel probe due to the aircraft's American origin. International protocols dictate that the state where the accident occurred is responsible for the investigation and the release of information. The NTSB and other international agencies are providing technical assistance to the AAIB.
The information gleaned from the black boxes will undergo a thorough analysis, a process referred to as "milking" the data. This involves downloading the raw data, which can take a significant amount of time – up to 25 hours for the FDR and two hours for the CVR. The data will then be used to reconstruct the events leading up to the crash, providing investigators with an objective understanding of what transpired in the cockpit and throughout the aircraft's systems.
Flight recorders have become invaluable tools in aviation safety, providing critical information in the aftermath of accidents. The analysis of flight recorder data has not only helped determine the causes of past accidents but has also led to significant improvements in aircraft design, pilot training, and safety protocols, preventing countless accidents in the future.
