Ahmedabad Plane Crash Black Box Being Probed In India, Says Aviation Minister; Denies Reports Of It Being Sent Abroad

Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu confirmed on Tuesday (24 June) that investigators are examining the black box of the crashed Air India AI171 plane in India, reported Hindustan Times.

He dismissed reports claiming authorities sent the black box abroad for examination. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is currently handling the investigation.

The Air India AI171 Boeing 787-7 Dreamliner crashed into the BJ Medical College hostel complex in Ahmedabad's Meghani Nagar shortly after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai International Airport on 12 June. Of the 242 individuals aboard, only one survived. Additionally, the crash killed 29 people on the ground, bringing the total fatalities to 270.

Addressing speculation about sending the black box to the US, Naidu stated, "...it is all speculation. The black box is very much in India, and it is currently being investigated by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB)." He emphasised the technical nature of data retrieval and refrained from providing a timeline for results, stating, "Let the AAIB conduct the probe and go through the entire process." Naidu had previously stated that decoding the black box would provide in-depth insight into what happened on 12 June.

A high-level committee, headed by the home secretary and comprising representatives from state and central governments, is investigating the crash. The committee will access all relevant records and aims to publish its report within three months.