India successfully recovers black box data after deadly Ahmedabad Air India crash
Ahmedabad: Indian investigators have successfully retrieved data from the black boxes of the Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner that crashed on June 12, in what is considered one of the worst aviation disasters in the country’s recent history.
The Civil Aviation Ministry announced on Thursday that data extraction from both the cockpit voice recorder and the flight data recorder has commenced. “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 said in a statement.
The crash, which occurred shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport, claimed 260 lives including all but one of the 242 passengers and crew onboard, and at least 19 others on the ground. The aircraft hit residential accommodation for medical staff, killing four doctors and injuring at least 24.
The black boxes were recovered within days of the crash but were only transported to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau in New Delhi on June 24.
Meanwhile, efforts to identify victims are continuing. Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel confirmed that 260 deaths had been identified through DNA and police verification. One body remains unidentified.
Forensic dentist Dr Jayasankar P. Pillai said the intense heat of the crash, which turned the jet into a fireball, did not prevent identification. “A protected molar tooth can withstand temperatures over 1,800°F (980°C),” he explained.
Ahmedabad Police Commissioner GS Malik confirmed that over 100 mobile phones had been recovered from the wreckage. Investigators hope voice recordings or videos stored on them could offer further insight into the aircraft’s final moments.
Families of victims continue to demand answers. “All we know is the plane took off and then fell. How? Why? Nobody knows. And we want to know. We deserve to know,” said Imtiyaz Ali, who lost his brother, sister-in-law and their two children.
Air India stated last week that the aircraft was "well-maintained" and the pilots were experienced.
At an undisclosed location, investigators are reconstructing parts of the aircraft to detect any signs of technical malfunction or structural failure.
Back at the crash-hit site, medical staff and survivors are slowly returning to daily life. A canteen destroyed by the impact was reopened symbolically this week. “Despite everything, we are moving forward,” said medical intern Smit Patel.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation. Further updates from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau are expected in the coming weeks.
(With AFP inputs)