There were multiple media reports that said India would send the severely damaged black box from the Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad to the United States for detailed analysis. However, the government on Thursday said that Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is yet to decide on the location of decoding the black box of Air India’s crashed Dreamliner. The Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) collectively known as the black box, sustained significant damage in the crash, making local recovery efforts unviable.
“A combined unit of the Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) has been recovered from the crash site on June 13, 2025, and another set was found on June 16. This model of aircraft has two black box sets,” the Civil Aviation Ministry said in a statement.
“The decision regarding the location for decoding the flight recorders will be taken by the AAIB after due assessment of all technical, safety, and security considerations,” the statement added.
Vital role of black boxes in crash probes
The black boxes are painted bright orange and typically located near the aircraft’s tail section, where crash impact is usually minimal. However, severe impacts and post-crash fires can still cause substantial damage to these devices.
The CVR captures cockpit conversations, alarms, and radio calls, while the FDR records thousands of flight parameters such as altitude, airspeed, and control surface movements. In this case, the Boeing 787 involved was delivered in 2014, so the CVR likely stored two hours of cockpit audio, while the FDR could record over 25 hours of flight data.
Complex recovery and analysis process
Extracting data from heavily damaged recorders can take from two days to several months, depending on the extent of the damage. Specialists may need to remove the memory board to prevent further data loss and assess the condition of the electronic circuits.
The AAIB’s laboratory in Delhi, established last year, is not yet equipped to handle such severe damage, necessitating the transfer to the NTSB.
“While AAIB had established a laboratory at its headquarters in Delhi last year, it is yet to be properly equipped to extract data from recorders which have sustained heavy damage. The NTSB team I carry them to their lab under protection and supervision from Indian officials to ensure that proper protocols are followed,” a person familiar with the matter told the financial daily.
Crash details and ongoing investigations
Air India Flight AI171 crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12, plunging into a medical college hostel complex and igniting a massive fire. Of the 242 people on board, only one survived, making it one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters in decades. Investigators are examining multiple scenarios, including possible issues with wing flap deployment, landing gear, electronic malfunctions, or fuel contamination that could have led to engine failure. The pilot’s final communication was a single Mayday call, with no further response to air traffic control.
Aircraft safety features under review
The Boeing 787 is equipped with multiple backup systems and duplicate critical components to ensure operational safety and reliability. The aircraft can maintain flight for up to 345 minutes on a single engine, even with various system malfunctions. Despite these safety features, the investigation is focusing on all potential factors that might have contributed to the tragedy.