In a significant development in the investigation of the Air India AI-171 flight crash in Ahmedabad, investigators have successfully recovered the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) from the crash site. This breakthrough comes just days after the recovery of the flight data recorder (FDR), also known as one of the "black boxes," promising a more comprehensive understanding of the tragic event that claimed the lives of 274 people, including 33 on the ground.

The Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, bound for London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday, June 12, 2025. Preliminary reports indicate that the aircraft lost thrust a mere 36 seconds after becoming airborne, before slamming into residential buildings near the airport. Only one person, a passenger seated in 11A, miraculously survived the crash.

The recovery of the CVR is considered a major step forward, as it captures audio from the cockpit, including conversations between the pilots, any alarms that may have sounded, and other ambient sounds. Analyzing the CVR data will provide investigators with crucial insights into the final moments of the flight and help determine the possible cause of the crash, whether it be mechanical failure, human error, or external factors such as bird strikes.

The FDR, recovered earlier, logs critical flight parameters such as altitude, speed, engine performance, and heading. Together, the CVR and FDR offer a detailed record of the flight's last seconds, enabling investigators to reconstruct the sequence of events leading to the disaster. According to civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, the crash investigation report is expected to be released within three months.

The swift recovery of both black boxes is particularly crucial in this case, given the extremely short duration of the flight. The aircraft was only airborne for about 36 seconds, making it imperative to analyze every piece of available data to understand what went wrong.

While commonly referred to as "black boxes," the CVR and FDR are actually painted bright orange with reflective strips to aid in their recovery following an accident. These devices are also designed to withstand extreme impact and heat, ensuring the data remains intact even in catastrophic events.

Investigators will be looking for answers to key questions such as the precise timing of the mayday call issued by the pilot, Captain Sabharwal, and the nature of any communication between the pilot and co-pilot, Clive Kunder, regarding potential issues with the aircraft. The CVR will also reveal whether there were any mechanical issues, warnings, or unusual sounds that could shed light on the cause of the crash.

The recovery of the CVR marks a significant milestone in the ongoing investigation. With both black boxes now in hand, investigators can begin the painstaking process of analyzing the data and piecing together the events that led to this devastating tragedy.