India to Send Damaged Air India Black Box to U.S. for Analysis After Fatal Crash
NEW DELHI – Indian aviation authorities are set to send the black box from the recent Air India plane crash to the United States for data extraction and analysis, according to a report by the Economic Times on Thursday.
The decision comes after the black box—which includes both the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR)—was found severely damaged due to a post-crash fire, making it difficult to retrieve any useful information domestically.
The crash, involving an Air India Boeing Dreamliner, occurred last week and claimed the lives of 241 people on board along with over 30 casualties on the ground, marking it as the deadliest aviation disaster in the past decade.
What Is a Black Box?
The black box is a critical piece of equipment in aviation safety. It typically includes:
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Flight Data Recorder (FDR): Records technical flight parameters such as altitude, speed, and engine performance.
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Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR): Captures in-flight audio, including conversations between pilots and any cockpit alarms.
These recordings play a vital role in determining the cause of aviation accidents.
Analysis to Be Done in the U.S.
According to sources cited by the Economic Times, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in Washington will conduct the forensic analysis. The data extracted will then be shared with India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).
Neither the AAIB nor Air India has issued an official statement as of yet.
Ongoing Investigation
Indian authorities have launched a full-scale investigation into the crash. Aviation experts say retrieving the black box data is essential for understanding what went wrong and preventing future tragedies.
As the international aviation community closely watches the probe, safety protocols and aircraft maintenance standards are expected to come under greater scrutiny.
