Air India crash investigation advances as cockpit Black Box recovered

Investigators have made a crucial breakthrough in the investigation of last week’s tragic Air India crash by recovering the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) from the crash site, authorities confirmed Monday.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, en route to London, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, resulting in at least 270 fatalities, many of whom were passengers.

The CVR, along with the flight data recorder (FDR), known collectively as the “black box,” are essential tools for reconstructing the final moments of the flight. The FDR was recovered earlier on Friday, and its counterpart, the CVR, was retrieved Monday, aiding investigators in their efforts to determine the cause of the disaster.

Both devices, brightly colored in orange with reflective strips for easy recovery, are engineered to withstand crashes and harsh conditions. The investigation is being led by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), with assistance from the United States and the United Kingdom, including teams from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

“Recovery of the black box is a significant step forward in understanding what led to the crash,” an AAIB spokesperson said. The US NTSB has also conducted site surveys and is conducting a parallel investigation under international protocols, given the aircraft’s American manufacturing.

Besides international agencies, representatives from Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) visited the site, according to reports. Meanwhile, a high-level government committee tasked with examining the incident is scheduled to meet Monday, with a prelimin report expected within three months. The committee aims to recommend new safety procedures to prevent future tragedies.