AHMEDABAD, India – June 14: Investigators have recovered both black boxes from the devastating Air India crash that killed 241 people onboard and several others on the ground, offering hope of swift answers in India’s worst aviation tragedy in over three decades.
The London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday, slamming into a medical college hostel and erupting into flames. Wreckage from the plane, including flap components and landing gear, was scattered across roads near the crash zone.
What the Black Boxes Could Reveal
The flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder were retrieved from the roof of a hostel near the crash site. Both are now in the custody of India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), which has launched a full-scale probe alongside teams from Boeing and the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
Experts say these devices will provide critical clues — from engine thrust and flap settings to cockpit communication in the final seconds before impact.
“This should show quickly if there was a loss of lift or engine power after takeoff,” said Paul Fromme, a senior aerospace engineer in the UK. “It will help determine if the aircraft was configured incorrectly during takeoff.”
Early Findings: Was the Plane Improperly Configured?
Preliminary information suggests the aircraft may have suffered from configuration errors during takeoff. The trailing edge flaps — essential for lift — may not have been set correctly, and the landing gear remained extended during ascent.
“There’s already concern that the takeoff settings may have been miscalculated,” said aviation safety analyst Jeff Guzzetti. “All of these inputs — weight, thrust, flap position — are recorded, and we’ll know more very soon.”
Sources familiar with the probe told Reuters that incorrect input of takeoff weight and environmental conditions may have led to insufficient lift, despite the engines being operational. Investigators are now focused on whether the flight crew made fatal setup mistakes or if mechanical failures played a role.
DGCA Orders Safety Checks on All Air India Dreamliners
In response to the crash, India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered immediate inspections of all Air India Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft fitted with General Electric’s GEnx engines.
The inspections will target key systems — including fuel flow, hydraulic performance, engine control units, and cabin air compressors — to rule out systemic issues within the fleet.
Charred Wreckage, Lost Lives, and a Lone Survivor
The crash has left behind a trail of destruction and heartbreak. Charred bodies — many of them students from the hostel — are being identified via DNA testing. Officials have confirmed at least five deaths on the ground and around 50 injuries, though more casualties are feared as recovery continues.
Miraculously, one enger survived the crash and was visited by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who expressed deep sorrow. “The loss of so many lives in such a sudden and heartbreaking manner is beyond words,” Modi wrote on social media.
Global Implications and Ongoing Investigation
The crash has rattled global aviation regulators. Boeing, which manufactures the 787 Dreamliner, is under intense scrutiny amid ongoing quality control issues in its commercial aircraft division.
Parts of the plane’s GEnx engines are being shipped to the US for detailed analysis. Meanwhile, investigators are reconstructing the wreckage in a secure facility to analyze structural damage and systems failure.
Aviation consultant John M. Cox believes the images showing the aircraft nose rising but failing to gain altitude indicate a serious lift issue. “It doesn’t appear the trailing edge flaps were where they should have been,” he said, though he cautioned that video footage alone isn’t conclusive.
What Happens Next?
Investigators are working rapidly to analyze the black boxes, with preliminary findings expected within days. Experts believe the combination of data from the recorders and physical evidence could yield answers quickly.
“This won’t be solved overnight, but some factual questions — flap positions, thrust settings, and alarms — will likely be answered within a week,” said Guzzetti.
For now, the aviation world waits as one of India’s worst air disasters in recent memory unfolds — with critical safety and ability questions looming.