The black box, officially the flight data and cockpit voice recorder, is being examined in India by the AAIB as part of an ongoing investigation into the AI171 disaster.
The black box of Air India (AI) flight AI 171, which crashed in Ahmedabad (AMD), is under scrutiny by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) demands grounding Air India’s Boeing fleet pending a safety audit.

The tragic crash of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner on the Ahmedabad to London Gatwick (LGW) route killed 271 people, prompting intense investigation and safety concerns.
Photo: PM Narendra Modi X Handle

Air India Black Box Probe

On June 12, 2025, Air India (AI) flight AI 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed moments after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad (AMD), killing 241 passengers and crew and 29 people on the ground.

The black box, comprising the Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), was recovered on June 13 and 16, respectively.

Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu confirmed the black box remains in India, under examination by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), dismissing reports suggesting it would be sent to the United States for analysis.

The AAIB, supported by local authorities and international experts from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), is analyzing the black box to uncover the cause of the crash, described as the world’s worst aviation disaster in a decade.

Decoding the DFDR and CVR will provide critical insights into the flight’s final 32 seconds, including pilot communications and aircraft performance data.

Naidu emphasized that the decision on where to decode the recorders will follow a thorough assessment of technical, safety, and security factors.
Representative Photo: By YSSYguy at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=48246637

Black Box Under Domestic Review

The black box, officially the flight data and cockpit voice recorder, is being examined in India by the AAIB as part of an ongoing investigation into the AI171 disaster.

The crash, which took place shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (AMD), is being termed the worst global aviation tragedy in over a decade.

Minister Naidu confirmed that no immediate plans exist to send the black box to the United States.

However, he stated that the decision to do so may follow a “due assessment” of safety, security, and technical considerations. His comments addressed public confusion sparked by early media reports hinting at US involvement in the analysis.

Meanwhile, US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chair Jennifer Homendy confirmed her agency is in communication with Indian authorities, but declined to comment on whether the recorders would be analyzed in the United States.

She emphasized that quick access to flight data is vital to determine if the crash resulted from any underlying safety issues.
Photo: By Kambui – Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner VT-ANM, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=58290529

Legal Push for Grounding Boeing Aircraft

Following the crash, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court of India, calling for the temporary suspension of all Boeing aircraft operated by Air India (AI).

The plea argues that until a comprehensive safety audit is conducted, continuing operations pose a risk to public safety.

The petition, filed by Advocate Ajay Bansal, references not only the crash but also his personal travel experience on AI127 from Delhi (DEL) to Chicago (ORD) on May 20.

Bansal cited severe technical failures aboard the Boeing aircraft, including non-functional business class seats, an inoperative in-flight entertainment system, and air-conditioning issues until cruising altitude as signs of systemic neglect.

The plea urges the court to ensure strict regulatory compliance by Air India and safeguard passenger well-being through rigorous safety inspections of its Boeing fleet.

Photo: Dnata

Ongoing Investigations

The AAIB continues its probe into the circumstances of the crash, with coordination from global aviation safety agencies. While Indian authorities lead the investigation, any further analysis requiring specialized equipment may eventually involve international partners like the NTSB.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has not yet released a timeline for when the investigation will conclude or when a decision on international decoding of the black box will be finalized. However, authorities maintain that transparency and safety will guide every step of the process.

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