The recovery of the black box from the Air India plane crash is a significant step in uncovering the cause of this tragic event. The crash, which occurred shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, resulted in the loss of 241 lives, including several individuals on the ground. The Boeing 787 was en route to London when it struck a medical college hostel, igniting a fire that affected many students living there.
Authorities reported that the digital flight data recorder, commonly known as the black box, was found on a rooftop near the crash site. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau of India is now actively working to analyze the data. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu emphasized the importance of this recovery, as it could provide vital information about the flight’s final moments.
Experts believe that the flight data recorder holds critical details about the plane’s engine performance and cockpit conversations. Professor Paul Fromme, from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers in the U.K., indicated that this information could quickly reveal if there was a loss of engine power or lift, helping to determine the cause of the crash.
The investigation is expected to address several key issues, including whether the aircraft’s flaps and other settings were correctly configured, if the engines lost power, and whether the crew accurately inputted data regarding the outside temperature and weight of the aircraft. Former crash investigator Jeff Guzzetti noted that answers to these questions might emerge soon, provided the black box is in good condition.
In the wake of the crash, India’s civil aviation regulator has ordered Air India to conduct additional maintenance and safety inspections on its Boeing 787 Dreamliners. This includes checks on various systems like fuel parameters and engine controls.
As investigators continue their work, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site and met with the sole survivor of the incident, Viswashkumar Ramesh. Ramesh described the moment of the crash, stating that the aircraft seemed to struggle for altitude before it went down. He managed to escape through a broken door after the plane fell onto the ground floor of the hostel.
DNA testing is underway to identify victims, many of whom were burned beyond recognition. Families are gathering at hospitals, anxiously waiting for news of their loved ones. The tragedy has deeply affected the local community, with residents recounting the chaos and destruction they witnessed as they rushed to help the injured.
This incident marks one of the worst aviation disasters in India’s history. The Boeing 787, known for its safety record, had never experienced a deadly crash in its 16 years of operation. As the investigation unfolds, the focus remains on understanding how this tragedy occurred and ensuring such accidents do not happen in the future.