AAIB Begins Analysis of Air India Crash Black Box Data

AAIB Initiates Analysis of Air India Crash Black Box Data

Investigation Underway Following Fatal Air India Flight Crash

New Delhi—India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has begun a detailed examination of the black box data recovered from Air India flight AI-171, which tragically crashed on June 12. The bureau is currently analyzing information from both the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR) to reconstruct the events leading up to the accident and identify contributing factors.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation confirmed that the investigation is being led by the Director General of the AAIB, with technical support from a representative of the United States’ National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), an independent agency renowned for its expertise in civil transportation accident investigations. On June 24, 2025, the joint investigative team commenced data extraction from the black boxes, successfully retrieving the Crash Protection Module (CPM) and accessing the memory module at the AAIB laboratory the following day.

“The analysis of CVR and FDR data is underway. These efforts aim to reconstruct the sequence of events leading to the accident and identify contributing factors to enhance aviation safety and prevent future occurrences,” the Ministry stated.

Impact and Broader Implications for Air India and Indian Aviation

The crash involved a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, powered by two GEnx-1B engines manufactured by GE Aerospace, which went down shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport. All 241 passengers and crew on board lost their lives in the incident. This tragedy has cast a pall over Air India’s ongoing Vihaan.AI transformation program, an ambitious initiative designed to elevate the airline to “world-class global” status within five years. In the wake of the crash, the airline has faced intensified safety inspections and operational disruptions, raising concerns about its reputation and the progress of its strategic overhaul.

The findings of the investigation are anticipated to have far-reaching consequences for Air India’s future operations as well as the wider Indian aviation sector. Transparent communication from the airline will be essential as the probe advances, particularly in maintaining passenger confidence and upholding industry standards.

Compliance with International Protocols and Next Steps

In accordance with guidelines set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), investigative agencies are required to submit a preliminary report within 30 days of an accident. The Ministry of Civil Aviation emphasized that all investigative procedures are being conducted in strict compliance with both domestic regulations and India’s international obligations under the ICAO Chicago Convention.

As the AAIB and its international partners continue their meticulous analysis, the primary focus remains on determining the root causes of the crash and implementing measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.