🛬 Shocking Update! Black Box from Air India AI‑171 Crash Still in India, Says Minister 📦
- MediaFx
- Jun 24
- 2 min read
TL;DR: Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu confirms the flight data recorder (black box) from the June 12 crash of Air India Flight AI 171 remains in India and is under analysis by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). Previous media reports suggesting it was sent to the U.S. are dismissed. The AAIB will decide whether domestic labs can decode the data or if foreign expertise is needed, after thorough technical and security evaluation.
🔍 What’s the Situation?
On June 12, Air India Flight AI 171, a Boeing 787‑8 bound for London, tragically crashed seconds after takeoff from Ahmedabad, resulting in 241 passenger deaths and dozens on the ground, with only one survivor.
The black boxes—comprising both the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR)—were recovered on June 13 and 16.
🎙️ Minister’s Statement
Minister Naidu confirmed on June 24 at a Pune aviation summit that the black box is still in India, being examined by the AAIB.
He dismissed rumors of it being sent to the U.S. as mere speculation.
The final decision on decoding location—domestic or international—will be made after AAIB completes technical, safety, and security assessments.
🏗️ Domestic Readiness
India launched a black box decoding lab at Udaan Bhawan, New Delhi, in April 2025, developed in partnership with HAL, aiming for national self-reliance.
The ministry noted that if the recorder is too damaged or requires advanced decoding, it might be sent abroad, possibly to the U.S.—but no decision has been made yet
⏳ What Happens Next?
The AAIB will carry out data retrieval and decoding—preliminary findings are expected within 30 days, with the final accident report due within 12 months as per ICAO norms.
International bodies like the U.S. NTSB, FAA, and Boeing experts continue to support the probe.
👥 Why This Matters
The black box holds vital data—flight performance, engine metrics, pilot cockpit recordings—that's essential to understanding why the plane crashed.
This crash is the first fatal Boeing 787 accident globally, prompting urgent safety audits of similar aircraft worldwide.
🏁 MediaFx Perspective
From the people’s viewpoint, it’s crucial that the black box stays and is decoded in India—by Indian hands. This tragedy was felt by communities both onboard and on the ground. The investigation should be transparent, accountable, and swift, ensuring aviation safety so future families don’t face such loss. Strong domestic capacity is key—let’s trust Indian experts and labs to find answers first, with global help only if truly needed. ✊
