AHMEDABAD- The black box from Air India (AI) flight AI 171, which tragically crashed in Ahmedabad (AMD), is currently being examined by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). In light of this incident, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed, urging the grounding of Air India’s Boeing fleet until a comprehensive safety audit is completed.
The devastating crash involving the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner on the route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick (LGW) resulted in the loss of 271 lives, igniting serious concerns regarding aviation safety.
On June 12, 2025, Air India (AI) flight AI 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed shortly after departing from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad (AMD). The tragic event resulted in the loss of 241 passengers and crew members, in addition to 29 people on the ground.
The black box data, which includes the Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), was successfully retrieved on June 13 and 16 respectively.
Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu confirmed that the black box is currently secured within India and is undergoing analysis by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), dismissing rumors of its potential transfer to the United States for further investigation.
Supported by local authorities and international experts from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), an in-depth analysis of the black box is being conducted to determine the crash’s cause, which has been coined as the worst aviation disaster in the last decade.
Insights from the DFDR and CVR will be invaluable for understanding the final moments of the flight, including communications between the pilots and performance data of the aircraft.
Naidu reassured that decisions regarding the decoding of the recorders will be made after careful evaluation of all technical, safety, and security aspects.
Black Box Under Domestic Review
The black box, consisting of essential flight and cockpit voice data, is presently under investigation by the AAIB as part of the ongoing effort to uncover the factors leading to the AI171 disaster.
The tragedy, occurring soon after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (AMD), is being categorized as the most catastrophic aviation incident in over a decade.
Minister Naidu has stated that there are no immediate plans to transfer the black box for analysis in the United States. Nevertheless, he indicated that such a decision may be made following a “thorough assessment” of the safety, security, and technical implications involved. This remark aims to clarify public uncertainty stemming from early media speculation regarding US participation in the investigation.
Additionally, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy confirmed that her organization is maintaining open lines of communication with Indian officials while refraining from commenting on potential plans for the recorders’ analysis in the United States.
She highlighted that prompt access to flight data is crucial for identifying whether the crash was caused by any pre-existing safety issues.
Legal Push for Grounding Boeing Aircraft
In the wake of the crash, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court of India, advocating for a temporary suspension of all Boeing aircraft operated by Air India (AI).
The plea asserts that ongoing operations should be halted until a comprehensive safety audit is conducted, citing that this poses a risk to public safety.
The petition, submitted by Advocate Ajay Bansal, not only references the catastrophic incident but also emphasizes the advocate’s troubling personal travel experiences aboard AI127 from Delhi (DEL) to Chicago (ORD) on May 20.
Bansal reported various significant technical failures during the journey aboard the Boeing aircraft, including inoperable business class seats and a malfunctioning in-flight entertainment system, along with air-conditioning concerns that persisted until the aircraft reached cruising altitude, suggesting systemic neglect.
The plea calls for the court to enforce rigorous regulatory compliance by Air India and to ensure that passenger safety is prioritized through thorough safety inspections of its Boeing fleet.
Ongoing Investigations
The AAIB is continuing its investigation into the crash, collaborating with global aviation safety authorities. While Indian agencies spearhead this probe, further analysis requiring specialized technology may involve international collaborators such as the NTSB.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has yet to provide a timeline for the investigation’s conclusion or when decisions regarding the international analysis of the black box will be made. However, officials assert that transparency and safety will be prioritized at every stage of this process.
We invite you to stay updated with us, and we encourage you to follow us on social media for the latest news and updates in the aviation sector.
Join our Telegram Group for the latest aviation updates. Furthermore, follow us on Google News for more comprehensive coverage.
Based on an article from aviationa2z.com: https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/06/25/air-india-787-crash-black-box-probe/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=air-india-787-crash-black-box-probe
