GG News Bureau
Ahmedabad, 16th June: Investigators probing the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI 171 have confirmed the recovery of the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), a critical piece of equipment that, along with the earlier retrieved Flight Data Recorder (FDR), will help determine the cause of the disaster that claimed 270 lives.
The confirmation came during a high-level review conducted by PK Mishra, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who visited the crash site in Ahmedabad and the civil hospital where the injured are undergoing treatment. Mishra was briefed on the ongoing relief, rescue, and investigation operations by officials from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), Airports Authority of India, and the state government.
According to an official release, “Officials confirmed to Dr Mishra that the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) have been located and secured.”
Final Moments Under Investigation
The twin black boxes—FDR and CVR—are expected to shed light on the final moments before the London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed into the campus of BJ Medical College in the Meghaninagar area on June 12, shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.
The accident resulted in the deaths of 241 out of 242 people on board, including passengers and crew, and an additional 29 individuals on the ground, among them five MBBS students. Only one person on board survived the crash.
The AAIB has launched a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the accident. In parallel, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is conducting its own inquiry under international aviation safety protocols, given that the aircraft was manufactured in the United States.
Relief Efforts and Victim Support
During his visit to the crash site, Mr Mishra chaired a review meeting at the Circuit House, where senior officials presented timelines of the incident, emergency responses, and next steps. He also visited the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, where he met with bereaved families and injured survivors.
Mishra expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, saying, “I am very pained by the enormity of the tragedy. Everybody is sad. It is our duty to share grief and express our feelings for the victims.”
At the Forensic Science Laboratory in Gandhinagar, Mishra assessed DNA identification efforts, urging swift but scientifically accurate processing. He instructed local authorities to ensure dignified treatment of victims and to expedite support for families in need.
PM’s Office Closely Monitoring
Mishra reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to providing “all possible support to the families of the victims” and ensuring coordinated, compassionate action by all government agencies. He was accompanied by PMO officials, including Advisor Tarun Kapoor and Deputy Secretary Mangesh Ghildiyal, during the visit.
With both black boxes now secured, investigators are hopeful that they will soon determine what caused one of the deadliest aviation disasters in India in recent years.
