Investigators have successfully recovered both sets of Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorders (EAFRs) from the crash site of a Boeing 787. These crucial devices, often referred to as "black boxes," were located on June 13 and June 16. The aircraft is equipped with two sets of these recorders to ensure a comprehensive analysis of flight data and cockpit conversations.
The data collected by these recorders is vital. They keep track of important information like the position of gear and flap levers, thrust settings, engine performance, fuel flow, and even when fire handles are activated. This information can help experts piece together the final moments of the flight and understand what went wrong.
However, reports suggest that the recorders may have suffered significant damage due to a fire that erupted after the crash. This could complicate the process of extracting data in India. As a result, there are plans to send the recorders to the United States for further examination.
Captain Kishore Chinta, a former accident investigator, mentioned that one set of recorders might be sent to the U.S. to compare the data retrieved in India with what the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has. He also pointed out that while a new lab in Delhi was inaugurated in April, it is uncertain whether it is fully operational for downloading EAFR data.
In the aftermath of the crash, Air India’s chairman, N Chandrasekaran, stated that one of the engines on the plane was new, while the other was not scheduled for servicing until December. He emphasized that both engines had clean maintenance records.
The airline has completed inspections on 26 of its 33 Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft, all of which have been cleared for service. Following the crash, India’s aviation regulator mandated additional safety checks on Air India’s Boeing 787 fleet as a precautionary measure.
In light of these events, Air India announced that it would reduce flights on 16 international routes and suspend services to three overseas destinations from June 21 to July 15. This decision aims to allow for enhanced pre-flight safety checks and to accommodate longer flight durations due to airspace closures in the Middle East. Additionally, the airline had previously stated it would temporarily cut flights operated with wide-body planes by 15%.