Black Box Of Crashed Air India Dreamliner Recovered In Ahmedabad; Legal Probe Under Aircraft Rules Begins
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The black box from the fatal Air India crash has been recovered, triggering a full investigation under India’s Aircraft Accident Rules, 2017. Authorities will analyse flight data to determine liability and ensure compliance with international aviation laws.
New Delhi: Today, on June 13, the black box from the Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner that tragically crashed soon after take-off in Ahmedabad has been recovered.
This critical piece of equipment was found on the rooftop of a doctor’s hostel, which the aircraft had struck during its failed ascent.
A massive search was conducted by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), with support from around 40 Gujarat government personnel.
After hours of searching through debris, the team successfully located the Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) — commonly referred to as the black box, although it is actually painted bright orange to help spot it in wreckage or underwater.
The black box is crucial in understanding what exactly went wrong. It holds important data such as the aircraft’s speed, height, engine status, and even audio recordings from inside the cockpit.
These include the conversations between the pilots and air traffic control. It is designed in such a way that it can survive fire, water, and intense crashes, making it a key element in air crash investigations.
The black box has two major parts — the DFDR and the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR). While the DFDR records technical details of the flight, the CVR captures all audio from the cockpit, including pilot discussions and any radio communication with ground control.
It is made from strong materials like steel and titanium, ensuring the data remains intact even in the worst crashes.
This Air India flight, owned by Tata Sons, was flying from Ahmedabad to London with 242 passengers on board. Shockingly, only one person survived — a British national of Indian origin.
The rest tragically lost their lives in what is being called one of the deadliest plane crashes in the country’s aviation history.
Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrashekhar shared a statement on the situation, saying,
“Trained investigators will help us understand why the routine flight turned into calamity.”
He also confirmed that investigation teams from India, the United States, and the United Kingdom had reached the crash site within 24 hours of the incident.
The crashed Dreamliner aircraft was 12 years old. CCTV footage from Ahmedabad airport showed the plane gaining speed normally during take-off.
Everything looked fine until the aircraft lifted off the ground. For a few moments, it flew at a low height instead of climbing as expected. Suddenly, the aircraft lost altitude and then crashed into a nearby doctors’ hostel.
Legal experts suggest that once the black box data is retrieved and analysed, the exact cause of the crash can be known.
Under Rule 11 of the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2017, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is responsible for handling all major air crashes in India.
The AAIB works under the Ministry of Civil Aviation and follows international protocols as laid out by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
In situations involving international aircraft like this Boeing 787-8, which is a US-manufactured aircraft operated by an Indian airline and carrying passengers from different nationalities, ICAO’s Annex 13 to the Chicago Convention requires that:
- The country where the accident took place (India) leads the investigation.
- The country where the aircraft was designed or built (United States, in this case Boeing) can appoint accredited representatives to assist.
- Countries whose citizens were involved may also participate or observe.
This is why teams from the US and UK are present and working alongside Indian authorities.
The investigation will also look into whether there was any technical failure, pilot error, poor maintenance, or any lapse in communication with Air Traffic Control (ATC).
Based on the findings, civil or even criminal liability may be assigned under Indian aviation law.
In case of negligence, Air India could face penalties under the Aircraft Act, 1934 and Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
Families of the victims may also file compensation claims under the Carriage by Air Act, 1972, which is aligned with the Montreal Convention, to which India is a signatory.
The entire nation is in shock and mourning the tragic loss of over 240 lives. As the legal process begins and black box analysis proceeds, many await answers to how a routine international flight turned into a national disaster.
Air India has activated an emergency response center and provided a helpline number (1800 5691 444) for families seeking updates. It will release further information via regular updates on its X handle (https://x.com/airindia) and on http://airindia.com.
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