India Recovers Flight Data from Crashed Air India Dreamliner

The Indian civil aviation ministry has confirmed the retrieval of crucial flight recorder data from the recent Air India accident, a significant advancement in understanding the tragedy.

In a major development in the investigation of the tragic Air India crash, authorities have announced the recovery of vital flight recorder data. The incident occurred on June 12, when a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, taking off for London from Ahmedabad airport, tragically went down after just 40 seconds in flight, resulting in the deaths of 270 individuals.

The Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorders (EAFRs) were recovered from the crash site on the 13th and 16th of June, with one retrieved from a rooftop and the other from the wreckage. The aircraft's model is equipped with these advanced recording systems to facilitate a thorough analysis following such incidents. These recorders meticulously document critical flight parameters, including the aircraft's positioning, engine performance, and cockpit communications.

The civil aviation ministry reported that a specialized team from India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), along with officials from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), accessed the data last Wednesday. The preliminary analysis of the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR) is currently underway to delineate the events leading to the crash, as well as to identify factors that could enhance future aviation safety.

NTSB Chairperson Jennifer Homendy expressed her desire for the Indian government to release findings promptly to ensure transparency and bolster public safety awareness. She acknowledged the fruitful collaboration between the NTSB and Indian officials in this ongoing investigation.

The lag between the incident and the data recovery has drawn scrutiny from aviation experts, who have raised concerns about the delay. The final moments of Air India Flight 171 remain under extensive examination; the aircraft, under the command of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and co-pilot Clive Kundar, faced emergency situations shortly after takeoff, leading to one of India's deadliest aviation disasters.