AI-171 Crash Black Box Clues: The Key to Unravelling the Mystery
Debris of Air India Flight crash in Ahmedabad! (Image X.com)
Investigation Underway to Determine Cause of Deadly Air India Flight AI-171 Crash; Findings Expected Soon
By KUMAR VIKRAM
NEW DELHI, June 26, 2025 – Investigators are closing in on determining the cause of the tragic Air India Flight AI-171 crash, with critical evidence from the aircraft’s ‘Black Boxes’ currently being analyzed. The final report, expected soon, will reveal what led to the fatal accident that has shaken India’s aviation sector.
India, as a signatory to the ICAO Chicago Convention (1944), is conducting the investigation following strict international aviation safety protocols under ICAO Annex 13 and the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2017. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is spearheading the probe with assistance from a specialized team that includes aviation medicine experts, air traffic control officers, and technical specialists from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) – a standard procedure when investigating accidents involving aircraft manufactured in the United States.
The investigation reached a crucial phase with the recovery of both the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR). The first black box was found on a rooftop at the crash site on June 13, while the second was recovered from the debris three days later on June 16. Authorities implemented strict protocols for handling these vital devices, keeping them under 24/7 police protection and CCTV surveillance in Ahmedabad before their secure transport to Delhi via Indian Air Force aircraft on June 24.
Technical teams led by AAIB Director General began extracting data immediately upon the black boxes’ arrival in Delhi. By June 25, investigators had successfully accessed the memory module from the front black box and downloaded its data at the AAIB laboratory. The painstaking process of analyzing both the cockpit recordings and flight data is now underway, with experts working to reconstruct the aircraft’s final moments and identify any mechanical failures, human errors, or external factors that may have contributed to the tragedy.
While aviation accident investigations typically take time, the AAIB is expected to release a preliminary report within the standard 30-day timeframe. These findings will be crucial not only for understanding this specific accident but also for implementing potential safety improvements across India’s aviation industry. The international collaboration in this investigation, particularly with NTSB experts, underscores the global importance of aviation safety and the shared commitment to preventing future tragedies.
Authorities have emphasized that all procedures are being followed meticulously, with transparency maintained throughout the investigation process. As the analysis continues, aviation experts and the victims’ families alike await answers that could help bring closure and potentially make air travel safer for everyone.
Follow The Raisina Hills on WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn
About The Author
