NEW DELHI: Investigators have successfully accessed data from the black box of the Air India Dreamliner that tragically crashed in Ahmedabad on June 12. The analysis aims to reconstruct the sequence of events leading to the accident, with the intent to identify factors that could enhance aviation safety and prevent future incidents, as stated by the aviation ministry on Thursday.
Following the crash, stakeholders raised concerns about the delay in both naming the investigative team and releasing preliminary findings two weeks after the event. The ministry revealed that on June 24, a team led by the Director General of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), alongside technical experts from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) of the United States, commenced the data extraction process. The crucial crash protection module from the front black box was retrieved safely, and by June 25, data from the memory module had been successfully downloaded at the AAIB laboratory.
Defending the investigative process, the aviation ministry emphasized that the AAIB promptly initiated investigations and assembled a multidisciplinary team as per established norms on June 13. This team, adhering to international protocols, includes an aviation medicine specialist, an air traffic control officer, and representatives from the NTSB, which serves as the investigative agency from the aircraft’s country of manufacture.
Both cockpit voice recorders (CVRs) and flight data recorders (FDRs) were recovered shortly after the crash-one from the rooftop of a building at the crash site on June 13 and the other from debris on June 16. The ministry assured that standard operating procedures were meticulously observed for the handling, storage, and transportation of these critical devices, which were secured under round-the-clock police protection and CCTV surveillance.
The black boxes were subsequently transported from Ahmedabad to Delhi aboard an Indian Air Force aircraft, ensuring full security measures were in place during transit. The front black box arrived at the AAIB Lab in Delhi around 2 PM on June 24, while the rear black box was delivered by a second AAIB team approximately three hours later.
The government affirmed that every action taken complies with both domestic laws and international regulations, emphasizing the importance of thorough and timely investigations. As a signatory to the ICAO Chicago Convention (1944), India adheres to the principles outlined in ICAO Annex 13 and the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2017, with the AAIB designated as the authority for such investigations.
This incident highlights the critical need for transparency and speed in aviation investigations, ensuring continuous improvement in air travel safety. As the analysis progresses, the aviation community and the public await answers that could shed light on the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.
Original Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/ai-171-crash-data-from-front-black-box-downloaded-probe-on-says-government/articleshow/122087020.cms
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Publish Date: 2025-06-26 13:49:00
