Air India Flight AI-171 Black Box Data Recovery: Current Status and Investigation Update
New Delhi, June 26, 2025 – In a significant development following the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI-171, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has successfully recovered and begun analyzing data from the aircraft’s black boxes—a crucial step in determining the cause of the accident.
Investigation in Compliance with International Protocols
As a signatory to the ICAO Chicago Convention (1944), India adheres to strict guidelines under ICAO Annex 13 and the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2017. The AAIB, the designated authority for such probes, swiftly formed a multidisciplinary team on June 13, 2025, led by the Director General of AAIB. The team includes:
- An aviation medicine specialist
- An Air Traffic Control (ATC) officer
- Representatives from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)—mandated due to the aircraft’s American origin
Recovery and Secure Handling of Black Boxes
The Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR) were recovered under challenging conditions:
- First black box found on a rooftop near the crash site on June 13, 2025
- Second black box retrieved from the debris on June 16, 2025
Both devices were securely stored under 24×7 police protection and CCTV surveillance in Ahmedabad before being transported to Delhi via Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft under high security on June 24, 2025.
- Front black box arrived at the AAIB Lab, Delhi, at 1400 hrs
- Rear black box reached the lab at 1715 hrs the same day
Data Extraction and Preliminary Analysis
On June 24, 2025, a joint team of AAIB and NTSB experts began extracting data. Key milestones include:
- Crash Protection Module (CPM) successfully retrieved from the front black box
- Memory module accessed and data downloaded on June 25, 2025
Investigators are now analyzing CVR and FDR data to reconstruct the flight’s final moments and identify potential safety lapses. The findings will help enhance aviation safety measures and prevent future accidents.
Commitment to Transparency and Safety
The Ministry of Civil Aviation assures that all actions comply with domestic laws and international obligations, ensuring a time-bound, thorough investigation.
Based on a press release by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India.
