NEW DELHI – India’s civil aviation ministry has confirmed that a detailed investigation is in progress to determine the causes of the tragic Air India plane crash that killed 260 people earlier this month.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, en route from Ahmedabad to London, crashed shortly after takeoff on June 12, making it the world’s deadliest aviation disaster in a decade. Among the victims were 241 passengers and crew on board and several individuals on the ground.
Black Boxes Recovered, Data Being Analyzed
In a key development, authorities have successfully recovered and transported the plane’s black boxes—the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR)—to New Delhi. The CVR was found on a rooftop on June 13, while the FDR was retrieved from wreckage on June 16.
According to an official statement, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has begun analyzing data extracted from the black boxes. The Crash Protection Module (CPM), which safeguards crucial flight data, has also been accessed.
“The memory module was successfully accessed, and data download is complete. Analysis is currently underway,” the aviation ministry confirmed.
Critical Clues Expected
The information retrieved from the black boxes will help reconstruct the final moments before the crash, offering insights into the aircraft’s systems and communications between the pilots.
Authorities are still reviewing whether additional international assistance will be required to further analyze the data, although no decision has been made on sending the black boxes abroad.
Renewed Scrutiny of Airline Safety Standards
In the aftermath of the crash, Air India and other carriers have come under increased regulatory scrutiny. India’s aviation regulator recently flagged multiple cases of unresolved aircraft defects at Mumbai and Delhi airports, highlighting concerns over maintenance lapses.
Air India, in particular, received warnings for:
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Operating aircraft with overdue emergency equipment checks
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Violations in pilot duty scheduling
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Lack of adequate oversight procedures
Air India Responds
The airline has stated that it is fully cooperating with regulators and has accelerated its verification process of maintenance records. It has also pledged to ensure full compliance with safety protocols going forward.
“We are committed to maintaining the highest safety standards and have already implemented the directions issued by the authority,” Air India said in a statement.
Looking Ahead
As the investigation continues, aviation authorities are focused on uncovering the exact causes behind the tragedy to prevent similar incidents in the future. The findings from the black boxes are expected to play a critical role in shaping future safety recommendations for India’s aviation sector.
