Air India Black Box Recovered, DGCA Calls for 787 Fleet Inspection

AHMEDABAD- The black box of Air India (AI) Flight AI171, which crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad Airport (AMD) en route to London Gatwick (LGW), has been recovered from a building the aircraft struck during descent.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) confirmed that the Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) was found on the rooftop of a hostel building near the crash site. The aircraft involved was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operating under Air India’s international service.

Photo: PM Narendra Modi X Handle

Black Box of Air India 787 Found

India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) clarified that a previously reported video recorder was not the black box. Within 28 hours of the crash, the official black box—more accurately the Flight Data Recorder (FDR)—was retrieved and handed over to investigators.

Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu stated that this development is key to understanding the cause of the crash.

A comprehensive investigation is now underway, led by the AAIB, supported by over 40 personnel from the Gujarat State Government, and with technical assistance from Air India (AI).

All Boeing 787s in Air India’s fleet are undergoing safety inspections as ordered by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

The crash claimed 241 lives out of the 242 on board. The only survivor was a British national of Indian origin, seated near the emergency exit in seat 11A. The deceased included former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.

Representative Photo: By YSSYguy at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=48246637

What does the Black Box Reveal?

The black box consists of two primary components: the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and the Flight Data Recorder (FDR). This equipment stores hundreds of flight parameters such as control inputs, engine status, electrical data, and autopilot behavior.

Bright orange in color, the black box is designed to endure severe impacts, heat, and water immersion. It serves as a critical tool for aviation investigators to determine the chain of events that led to accidents.

In this case, the analysis will focus on the moments after the Boeing 787-8 lifted off from Runway 23 at AMD and issued a ‘Mayday’ call before vanishing from ATC radar. The DFDR’s data is expected to offer clarity on the cause of the crash, including possible mechanical failure or pilot error.

Flight AI171 took off from Ahmedabad (AMD) at 1:39 PM IST, bound for London Gatwick (LGW). Shortly after takeoff, a distress signal was transmitted, and communications ceased. The aircraft crashed into a building just beyond the airport boundary, igniting a fireball visible across the city.

The aircraft was commanded by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a senior line training pilot with over 8,200 hours, and First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 hours. The 242 passengers onboard included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British, 7 Portuguese, and 1 Canadian.

Air India has confirmed that emergency protocols were followed and pledged full cooperation with the ongoing investigation. Support services for the victims’ families are being coordinated by the airline and local authorities.

Photo: Bhavya Velani/Aviation A2Z

All 787s to be Inspected

India’s aviation regulator has ordered enhanced safety inspections of Air India’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, following a fatal crash in Ahmedabad (AMD) that killed 241 passengers.

The incident involved a Boeing 787-8 operating a scheduled flight to London Gatwick (LGW), prompting urgent regulatory action on the fleet powered by GEnx engines, manufactured by GE Aerospace.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has directed Air India (AI) to perform immediate, enhanced safety checks on its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet. This includes both the Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 variants, totaling 33 aircraft in the carrier’s inventory.

The aircraft are equipped with GEnx engines, which are now under scrutiny following the deadly crash.

In response, DGCA issued a directive requiring comprehensive inspections of critical engine and airframe systems.

Photo: PM Narendra Modi X Handle

Scope of Enhanced Maintenance and System Checks

As per the DGCA’s official directive, Air India is required to perform one-time checks of several key systems on all Dreamliners, including:

• Fuel parameter monitoring systems
• Cabin air compressor systems
• Electronic engine control systems
• Engine fuel-driven actuators
• Oil and hydraulic systems

Additionally, the regulator has mandated:

• Serviceability review of take-off performance parameters
• Power assurance checks within two weeks
• Flight control inspection during transit
• Review and closure of all repetitive snags logged in the last 15 days

These inspections will be conducted in coordination with DGCA’s regional offices and must be documented and reported for regulatory review.

The Dreamliner involved in the accident was powered by GEnx engines developed by GE Aerospace. Following the crash, GE confirmed activation of its emergency response team. A spokesperson stated that GE is “prepared to support our customer and the investigation.”

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