2LT International News

NEW DELHI, India: Indian investigators are examining the black boxes from a Boeing 787 Dreamliner to determine the cause of a catastrophic crash that killed at least 270 people last week.

The flight data and cockpit voice recorders were recovered from the wreckage and are expected to provide crucial details about engine performance, control settings, cockpit conversations, and potential distress signals.

The Air India flight, bound for London, crashed into a medical college hostel shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad. Only one person survived out of 242 on board, while 29 others were killed on the ground—making it one of India’s worst aviation disasters in decades.

The investigation is being led by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), with support from U.K. and U.S. authorities, including Boeing officials. Aviation expert and former pilot Amit Singh emphasized that black box data will be central to understanding the crash sequence.

The cockpit voice recorder captures conversations and alarms in the cockpit, while the digital flight data recorder logs technical metrics such as engine thrust and control settings.

“The data will reveal everything,” Singh said, noting that communication with air traffic control and emergency warnings will also be analyzed.

India’s aviation regulator confirmed that a mayday call was made before the crash. Investigators are now reviewing CCTV footage, interviewing eyewitnesses, and examining the pilots’ training history, the aircraft’s maintenance records, weight and balance, and any prior technical issues.

Former AAIB director Aurobindo Handa explained that the investigation will follow international protocols set out in the UN’s “DOC 9756” manual. Given the extensive fire damage to the wreckage, Handa warned that assessing the condition of the black boxes—especially their ability to withstand extreme heat—will be critical to the inquiry.

The Indian government has also formed a high-level committee to investigate the cause of the crash and recommend future safety measures. A preliminary report is expected within three months.

Meanwhile, Air India’s entire fleet of 33 Dreamliners is undergoing additional inspections and maintenance checks. The aircraft involved in the crash was 12 years old. Despite a number of safety concerns across Boeing’s product line, this marks the first fatal crash of a 787 Dreamliner since the model began operations 16 years ago.

There are around 1,200 Dreamliners currently in service worldwide.