The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has confirmed the successful recovery and secure transfer of both black boxes from the ill-fated Air India Flight AI-171, marking a significant step in the ongoing investigation into the crash.
In accordance with the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2017 and ICAO Annex 13, a multidisciplinary team was formed on June 13, 2025. The investigation team, led by the Director General of AAIB, includes specialists in aviation medicine, air traffic control, and representatives from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), as the aircraft was manufactured and designed in the United States.
The Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) was recovered from a building rooftop at the crash site on June 13, while the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) was retrieved from the debris on June 16. Both recorders were securely stored in Ahmedabad under continuous police guard and CCTV surveillance before being airlifted to Delhi by the Indian Air Force on June 24.
The CVR arrived at AAIB’s Delhi laboratory at 2:00 PM, followed by the FDR at 5:15 PM the same day. Technical teams from AAIB and NTSB immediately began the process of data extraction, successfully retrieving the Crash Protection Module and downloading data from the CVR on June 25.
Analysis of the black box data is now underway to reconstruct the sequence of events leading to the crash. The objective is to identify any contributing factors to ensure accountability and improve aviation safety standards.
Authorities emphasized that all procedures have adhered strictly to Indian law and international commitments, and the investigation is being conducted in a timely and transparent manner.
