Ill-Fated Ahmedabad Plane Crash Black Box to Be Sent to US; Check Why It’s Crucial For Investigation

In a major development in the investigation into the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI171 in Ahmedabad on June 12, officials have confirmed that the plane's "black box," which is made up of the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), is on its way to the United States for further study.  The choice comes as investigators work harder to figure out what went wrong with the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner just seconds after takeoff.

What the Black Box Shows

The black box was near the plane's tail, which is usually one of the least damaged parts in a crash. It was found whole among the rubble that killed at least 265 people on board and on the ground.  With its orange, heat-resistant case, it keeps important flight data safe even in harsh situations.

FDR: Keeps track of technical information like engine performance, throttle levels, airspeed, altitude, and switch settings all the time.  It also records event-based oddities, such as engine breakdowns or fire alarms.

CVR: records sound from the cockpit, such as pilots talking to each other and talking to Air Traffic Control (ATC).  In the last few seconds before impact, pilots could be heard saying "thrust not achieved," "falling," and "Mayday."

Why is it going to the US

By sending the black box to the U.S., where Boeing and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have set up facilities for reading, India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) will have access to more advanced, specialized tools and knowledge.  International rules, especially for Boeing planes, urge people from different countries to work together to make sure that the analysis is thorough and open.

What Comes Next

The decoding process has started, according to Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu. This will allow a detailed reconstruction of the plane's behavior in its last seconds.  Data from the FDR will be "milked," or compared to past flight logs to find any mistakes. The CVR, on the other hand, will show what the pilots were seeing during the emergency.  The final report on the investigation should be based on all of these results.

More precautions for safety

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered urgent, enhanced checks of all Boeing 787s in India in the wake of the tragedy. Eight of the 34 Dreamliners already in service have been inspected ([indiatoday.in][1], [indiatoday.in][3]).  Air India has also retired the plane that crashed and replaced it with Flight AI159 for the same flight to London.

People Eagerly Await Closure

The black box data is widely seen as the most reliable source of truth in crash investigations, and everyone is eagerly waiting for it—families, government officials, and flight regulators.  Once it is translated, its contents may not only show what went wrong with the machinery or procedures that caused this disaster, but they may also lead to stricter safety rules around the world.