Photo: SAM PANTHAKY / AFP / Getty Images
Investigators have recovered the second black box from the Air India crash site in Ahmedabad, India, as the probe into the tragic incident continues. The cockpit voice recorder (CVR) was found on Sunday (June 15), following the earlier recovery of the flight data recorder (FDR) on Friday (June 13). Together, these devices, commonly referred to as the "black box," are crucial for understanding the events leading up to the crash.
The Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, bound for London, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, resulting in the deaths of at least 279 people, including 38 on the ground. Only one passenger, a British national, survived the crash. The aircraft crashed into a residential area near the BJ Medical College and Civil Hospital, adding to the devastation.
The investigation is being led by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), with assistance from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and other international bodies. The focus is initially on potential engine failure and issues with the wing flaps and landing gear. The AAIB and NTSB are conducting parallel investigations under international protocols, as the aircraft is American-made.
As the investigation unfolds, families of the victims face a slow and painstaking process of DNA identification to recover their loved ones' remains. Over 90 victims have been identified so far, with the remains of 47 victims returned to their families. Among the deceased is Vijay Rupani, the former chief minister of Gujarat, who will be laid to rest with full state honors.
Air India has been instructed to carry out additional maintenance checks on its fleet of Boeing 787s.