Ahmedabad: Team members of Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on Friday recovered the flight data recorder–commonly known as black box–within 28 hours of the catastrophic Air India plane crash, which has left a trail of devastation in Ahmedabad.
As many as 241 of the 242 passengers and crew aboard Flight AI171, along with at least eight people on the ground, making it one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters in recent memory. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, bound for London’s Gatwick airport, plummeted into the residential area of Meghani Nagar less than 60 seconds after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 13:39 local time (08:09 GMT) on Thursday, June 12, 2025.
Also Read: London-bound Air India plane crashes in Ahmedabad, 290 dead
Civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu confirmed that the AAIB has recovered the black box, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing investigation.
PM Modi Visits Crash Site
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the tragic Air India plane crash site in Ahmedabad’s Meghani Nagar on Friday, spending approximately 20 minutes inspecting the debris-strewn wreckage of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner that crashed in the BJ Medical College and Civil Hospital premises on Thursday. Dressed in a somber grey traditional outfit, Modi surveyed the devastation, including the plane’s blackened wing and tail embedded in residential buildings, accompanied by officials in high-visibility vests, as captured in a video posted on his YouTube channel.
Also Read: Air India launches direct flight to Gatwick from Ahmedabad
The visit, described as “deeply moving” by Air India CEO Campbell Wilson, underscored the gravity of the disaster, with Modi refraining from speaking to reporters but offering a silent tribute amid the ongoing investigation led by the AAIB.
Black Box Recovery: A Critical Step Forward
The recovery of the black box, which includes both the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder, was described as a significant breakthrough by Kinjarapu. “This marks an important step forward in the investigation and will significantly aid the inquiry,” he stated. The flight data recorder captures critical metrics such as altitude, speed, and aircraft performance, while the cockpit voice recorder preserves pilots’ conversations and any unusual sounds. These devices are expected to provide key insights into the moments leading up to the disaster. The AAIB is spearheading the probe, with support from experts in the United States and United Kingdom, as well as technical assistance from Boeing and engine manufacturer GE Aerospace.
Also Read: Aeroplane manufacturers see good business at Aero India 2025
Sole Survivor’s Miraculous Escape
The sole survivor, British national Vishwashkumar Ramesh, 40, seated in 11A, recounted his harrowing escape to India’s DD News. “I still cannot believe how I made it out alive,” he said, describing how he unfastened his seatbelt and fled the wreckage after sustaining burn injuries to his left hand. Ramesh, now recovering in a hospital, witnessed the tragic deaths of fellow passengers and crew. His survival is considered miraculous, given the crash’s severity, which scattered wreckage over 200 meters and left the plane’s blackened wing and tail embedded in residential buildings.
Devastation in Meghani Nagar
The crash site in Meghani Nagar, a densely populated residential area, remains a scene of profound destruction. Large pieces of the aircraft, including its wing and tail, are lodged in homes, hospitals, and official buildings, with responders reporting extensive structural damage. Dr. Minakshi Parikh, dean of BJ Medical College and Civil Hospital, confirmed that four students and four relatives of doctors perished when the plane struck the campus. Identifying victims has proven challenging, with authorities relying on DNA matching due to the condition of the remains. “We are working with sincerity and want relatives to understand and be a bit patient,” Parikh urged. So far, only six bodies have been released to families able to identify them based on facial features.
Also Read: Jetu Air plane skids off runway in South Korea, bursts into flame
Families Grapple with Grief
The tragedy has left families in anguish, many still awaiting confirmation of their loved ones’ fates. Imtiaz Ali, whose brother Javed and his family were on the flight, told reporters, “Until I see his body, I will not believe he has died. If I start crying, my heart might burst.” The passenger manifest included 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian, underscoring the international scope of the disaster. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site on Friday, spending 20 minutes inspecting the debris, while Air India CEO Campbell Wilson described his visit as “deeply moving.”
Investigation into Possible Causes
Preliminary investigations are exploring several potential causes, though experts caution against speculation until the black box data is fully analyzed. The plane, carrying 100 tonnes of fuel for the long-haul flight, issued a mayday call almost immediately after takeoff, followed by radio silence. Footage verified by BBC showed the aircraft struggling to gain altitude, reaching only 625 feet before descending and crashing after just 30 seconds airborne. Theories include a rare double engine failure, possibly due to fuel contamination or a bird strike, given Ahmedabad airport’s reported 38 bird strikes in 2022–23, a 35% increase from the previous year. Another hypothesis points to improper flap settings, which could have hindered lift in the 40°C heat, though pilots note that such errors typically trigger cockpit warnings.
Also Read: Akasa Air to buy 150 planes to bolster domestic, international ops
Boeing Under Scrutiny
Boeing, already navigating a safety crisis following incidents involving its 737 Max and other models, faces renewed scrutiny. The 787-8 Dreamliner, which carried its billionth passenger last month, had an exemplary safety record until this crash, its first fatal incident since entering service in 2011. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg expressed condolences and pledged full support for the investigation, but the company’s shares fell nearly 5% on Thursday. While no evidence yet suggests a manufacturing fault, the tragedy adds to Boeing’s challenges, including financial losses, a recent workers’ strike, and whistleblower allegations of substandard production practices.
A Community in Mourning
As investigators comb through the wreckage and analyze the black box, the global aviation community awaits answers. For the families of the victims and the residents of Ahmedabad, the focus remains on healing and honoring those lost in this heartbreaking disaster. The investigation’s findings will be critical not only for providing closure but also for ensuring such a tragedy is not repeated.
