What Is Black Box and What It Can Exactly Say About Ahmedabad Plane Crash

Black Box Recovered:

Investigators have recovered a Black Box from the Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner that crashed near Ahmedabad airport on June 12, killing 241 out of 242 people on board. The recovery of this crucial device marks a major step forward in understanding what went wrong during the tragedy.

Black Box Recovered:

The recovered Black Box was found on the rooftop of a nearby medical college hostel. This box is called the Flight Data Recorder (FDR), and it contains many technical details about the aircraft’s flight. These details include its speed, altitude, engine performance, control surface positions, and other important information. This data will help investigators piece together the final moments before the incident.

Every commercial flight normally carries two Black Boxes — the Flight Data Recorder and the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR). While the FDR shows the technical side of the incident, the CVR is equally important. The CVR records all conversations in the cockpit, radio transmissions, alarm signals, and other sounds that can aid in understanding the human decisions made by the crew.

The second Black Box, the CVR, is still missing, and search operations are underway to find it. Without this, investigators may miss crucial details about the crew’s response and their communication during the emergency.

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu described the recovery as “an important step forward” in investigating the tragedy. The Black Box will be analyzed at the Digital Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder laboratory in Delhi, which is equipped with advanced tools to retrieve and repair data.

Usually, retrieving data from Black Boxes can take two to four weeks. A preliminary report might be available within a month, but a complete investigation can take up to two years. This process involves analyzing extensive data alongside maintenance records, radar signals, and testimony from eyewitnesses.

A team from the US National Transportation Safety Board is also assisting in the investigation, adding their expertise in understanding complex accidents. This incident marks the first fatal crash of a Boeing 787-8 since its entry into service in 2011. Investigators expect the data from the Black Boxes to provide valuable information that will help prevent future accidents and improve air travel safety.

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