Flight AI-171 Probe Advances: AAIB Completes Black Box Recovery, Data Analysis Underway

India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has released a detailed status report on the recovery and examination of black box data from Air India Flight AI-171, which tragically crashed in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025. The update marks a critical milestone in the ongoing investigation, with both the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR) successfully retrieved and data extraction now in progress.

Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of the investigation timeline, technical procedures, and next steps.

Key Developments in the Investigation

- Both black boxes were recovered from the crash site—one from a rooftop on June 13 and the other from the wreckage on June 16  
- The devices were secured under 24x7 police protection and CCTV surveillance in Ahmedabad before being flown to Delhi by Indian Air Force aircraft on June 24  
- The front black box arrived at the AAIB Lab in Delhi at 2:00 PM, followed by the rear unit at 5:15 PM the same day  
- A multidisciplinary team led by the Director General of AAIB, with technical experts from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), initiated the data extraction process that evening  

Data Recovery and Technical Progress

- The Crash Protection Module (CPM) from the front black box was safely retrieved and the memory module was successfully accessed on June 25  
- Data from both the CVR and FDR has been downloaded and is currently under detailed analysis at the AAIB Lab  
- The analysis aims to reconstruct the sequence of events leading to the crash and identify contributing factors to enhance aviation safety  

Compliance and International Collaboration

- The investigation is being conducted in accordance with ICAO Annex 13 and India’s Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2017  
- The team includes an aviation medicine expert, an air traffic control officer, and NTSB representatives, as required for aircraft manufactured in the United States  
- This marks the first time India is conducting full black box analysis domestically for a Dreamliner crash, reducing reliance on overseas labs and expediting the timeline  

Expected Timeline and Public Disclosure

- Preliminary findings are expected within 7 to 10 days, with a final report anticipated within a month—significantly faster than the typical six-month window  
- The Ministry of Civil Aviation has emphasized that all procedures have been followed in a time-bound and transparent manner  

As the AAIB continues its meticulous analysis, the swift recovery and examination of black box data represent a major step toward uncovering the truth behind the AI-171 tragedy and reinforcing India’s aviation safety framework.

Sources: Ministry of Civil Aviation, Press Information Bureau, The Korea Herald, MSN India,