Delhi lab extracts Air India black box data begins analysis
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has extracted data from the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder of Air India Flight AI171. The black boxes were recovered from the Ahmedabad crash site and analysed at a Delhi-based lab. Indian and US experts are jointly working to reconstruct the crash timeline and determine its causes to improve aviation safety standards.
The flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder were found between 13 and 16 June, retrieved from a building rooftop and the debris field. They were transported to Delhi under high security on 24 June using an Indian Air Force aircraft. Once secured, technical teams began immediate analysis, marking a significant milestone in one of India’s deadliest aviation investigations in recent history.
At the AAIB’s Delhi facility, experts from India and the US National Transportation Safety Board accessed the crash protection module to retrieve internal memory. The recorded data will now be pieced together to identify the sequence of events that led to the crash. Investigators aim to understand both technical and operational factors contributing to the incident involving Air India Flight AI171.
The investigation is being conducted in line with India’s Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules 2017 and Annex 13 of the ICAO’s Chicago Convention. A multidisciplinary team, including experts in air traffic control and aviation medicine, was constituted the day after the crash. The process is being carried out with strict adherence to international aviation safety and data protection protocols.
Officials confirmed that the investigation will remain time-bound, transparent and grounded in verified evidence. The Ministry has urged media outlets to avoid speculation. With global scrutiny on this high-profile crash, efforts are being made to ensure that all technical findings are accurate and conclusive. Public updates will follow only after validated data is compiled and reviewed by investigators.
As the black box data undergoes detailed analysis, investigators hope to reconstruct the final moments of Flight AI171 and identify key failure points. This analysis will serve as a basis for safety improvements and future preventive measures. Officials stress the importance of factual reporting and cooperation. The probe continues under international aviation standards, with India reaffirming its commitment to safety and accountability in civil aviation.
