Air India Flight AI171 Crash: Cockpit Voice Recorder Recovered as Investigation Intensifies

Investigators have recovered the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) from the wreckage of Air India Flight AI171, marking a critical step in determining the cause of last week’s deadly crash.

The London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday. The aircraft struck a residential building near BJ Medical College and Civil Hospital, killing at least 270 people, including nearly all 242 passengers and crew. Only one person on board survived.

The CVR, which captures cockpit audio including pilot conversations, alarms, and ambient sounds, complements the flight data recorder (FDR)—recovered a day earlier—which logs key flight parameters such as altitude, speed, and engine performance. Together, these devices form the aircraft’s “black box,” essential for reconstructing the flight’s final moments.

Despite the name, black boxes are actually bright orange with reflective markings to aid recovery. Both are engineered to withstand extreme impact and fire.

India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is leading the probe, supported by teams from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and Boeing. The NTSB is conducting a parallel investigation under international protocols due to the aircraft’s U.S. origin.

Officials confirmed that U.S. investigators surveyed the crash site on Sunday June 15, and Indian media reported visits from Boeing and FAA representatives.

Following the tragic crash, India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has ordered enhanced safety inspections for all Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft operated by Indian carriers, particularly those equipped with GEnx engines.

The crash has prompted a painstaking recovery and identification process. As of Monday, 270 bodies had been recovered, with over 90 identified through DNA matching. Dr. Rajnish Patel of Ahmedabad’s Civil Hospital stated that 47 bodies have been returned to families. Among the victims was Vijay Rupani, former Chief Minister of Gujarat, who will be laid to rest with full state honors.

For many families, the wait continues. The condition of the remains has slowed identification efforts, with officials processing DNA samples in small batches. One relative, Mistry Jignesh, expressed anguish over delays, fearing his niece’s remains may not yet have been found.


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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, yahoo.com