More than 200 people were killed when an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed minutes after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12 (Thursday), making it the world’s worst aviation disaster in a decade. As investigators prioritize recovering the aircraft’s Black Box, aviation experts say the crucial flight recorders could take weeks to months to fully decode and analyze.The London-bound flight AI-171 carrying 242 people issued a Mayday distress call shortly after departure at 1:39 PM IST before crashing into a medical college hostel at just 625 feet altitude. This marks the first fatal crash of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since the aircraft entered commercial service in 2011.
What is a Black Box and why it’s important for the Ahmedabad crash investigation
Despite its name, the aircraft “Black Box” consists of two bright orange crash-resistant devices designed to survive extreme impact, fire, and water pressure. The Flight Data Recorder (FDR) logs thousands of technical parameters including altitude, speed, engine performance, and control inputs, while the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) captures all cockpit audio including pilot conversations, radio transmissions, and mechanical sounds.According to America’s National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), an independent US government investigative agency that is responsible for civil transportation accident investigation, notes the recorders continuously store 25 hours of flight information, providing investigators with second-by-second reconstruction of events leading to a crash. For the Ahmedabad incident, the Black Box data will be critical in determining whether the disaster resulted from mechanical failure, engine malfunction, human error, or other factors.Given that the Boeing 787 struggled to gain altitude and the crew issued an emergency call, the FDR will reveal precise engine performance data and system warnings, while the CVR could capture emergency procedures being executed during those critical moments after takeoff.
How an airplane’s Black Box is decoded
Once recovered, the Black Boxes are sent to specialized forensic laboratories under India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) or international facilities. The Bureau of Aircraft Accident Archives (BAAA) notes that investigators first assess the physical condition of the devices, which may require memory module extraction and transplantation if damaged.The investigation process involves synchronizing voice and flight data on a shared timeline, correlating findings with radar logs and air traffic control records. Modern teams create 3D computer simulations powered by FDR data to visualize the aircraft’s trajectory and system failures.Aviation safety consultant Anthony Brickhouse, analyzing videos of the Ahmedabad crash, noted problematic signs including the landing gear being down during a phase when it should typically be retracted – details that Black Box data will either confirm or clarify.
How long the investigation for Air India’s Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner flight crash could take
Initial data extraction typically requires 2-4 weeks for intact devices, according to NTSB protocols. However, if the recorders are damaged by impact or fire, the process can extend significantly as components require cleaning, drying, and reconstruction.The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) mandates that preliminary findings be released within 30 days, but comprehensive analysis takes much longer. Aviation investigation expert Greg Feith explains that while extracting data is relatively quick, “understanding the story it tells takes considerable time.”Final investigation reports typically require 12-24 months to complete, as teams cross-reference Black Box data with maintenance records, weather conditions, and witness statements. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) notes that modern aircraft can generate thousands of data points per second, requiring meticulous analysis.For the Ahmedabad crash, US investigators from the NTSB will assist Indian authorities, potentially expediting the process. However, the complexity of first-time 787 crash analysis may extend the timeline, as investigators work to understand how this advanced aircraft’s systems behaved during the emergency.
