A black box has been successfully retrieved from the wreckage of the Air India flight that tragically crashed in Ahmedabad, according to statements made by India’s civil aviation minister on Friday. The flight data recorder was located within 28 hours by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), as confirmed by Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu.
In this devastating incident, all but one of the 242 passengers aboard the London-bound flight lost their lives when the aircraft went down in a residential area shortly after take-off on Thursday. Reports indicate that at least eight individuals on the ground also perished due to the crash.
“The [recovery of the black box] marks an important step forward in the investigation” and will “significantly aid the inquiry” into the disaster, Mr. Kinjarapu stated.
Typically, commercial airplanes are equipped with two black boxes: one that records essential flight parameters like altitude and speed, and another that captures audio from the cockpit, allowing investigators to understand the pilots’ conversations and any unusual sounds during the flight. The AAIB is spearheading the inquiry into the crash, with assistance from investigative teams from both the United States and the United Kingdom. Boeing’s chief executive, Kelly Ortberg, has pledged the company’s full cooperation in the investigation.
Onboard the Boeing 787 Dreamliner at the time of the crash were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian. The flight, designated AI171, was set to arrive at London’s Gatwick Airport at 18:25 BST.
Wreckage recovery efforts and victim identification
As of Friday, debris from the plane was still scattered across the crash site, with significant portions of the aircraft, including a charred wing, embedded in nearby buildings. Investigators have cordoned off the area as they work meticulously to assess the damage and gather evidence.
Authorities have been relying on DNA samples from family members to help identify victims, with a police representative indicating that remains of six individuals have thus far been returned to their families, identified through facial recognition.
The sole survivor of the crash, British national Vishwashkumar Ramesh, remains hospitalized and is recovering from his injuries. He was seated in seat 11A during the flight and shared his harrowing experience, stating, “I still cannot believe how I made it out alive.” He recounted the moment the plane went down, expressing disbelief at surviving as he witnessed the tragedy unfold around him.
Families of the victims have been left in anguish, waiting for news about their loved ones. Imtiaz Ali, whose brother Javed and his family were on the flight, expressed his emotional turmoil, saying, “If I get sad and start crying, then I’ll be uncontrollable. No one will be able to stop me… my heart might burst.”
Impact of the crash on the community
The crash occurred in Meghani Nagar, a residential neighborhood, with the impact described as catastrophic. Initial estimates suggest that wreckage was spread over a distance of 200 meters (656 feet). While the exact number of casualties on the ground remains unclear, reports indicate that at least eight individuals, not aboard the plane, were killed.
Dr. Minakshi Parikh, the dean of BJ Medical College and Civil Hospital, confirmed the tragic loss of four students from their institution, alongside four relatives of medical staff present on campus at the time of the incident.
“We are relying only on DNA matching to identify them and it is something where we simply cannot rush or afford mistakes,” Dr. Parikh emphasized, reassuring families that the identification process is being conducted with utmost care and sincerity.
On Friday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site, spending approximately 20 minutes there. While he did not address the media, a video posted on his YouTube channel showed him surveying the area and inspecting the wreckage. Air India CEO Campbell Wilson also visited, describing the experience as “deeply moving.”
The Boeing 787-8 involved in the tragedy had completed over 700 flights in the year preceding the crash. At 11 years old, it was commonly used for routes between major Indian cities and various European destinations. The aircraft had operated 25 flights from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick in the past two years.
In light of this tragedy, India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has mandated additional safety inspections for Air India’s Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 fleet as a precautionary measure.