Investigators are preparing to analyze the pilots' final words, recorded on the cockpit voice recorder, to understand the cause of the Air India plane crash. The recorder was recovered from the wreckage.
The second black box, containing the cockpit voice recorder, was found by Indian authorities. The first black box, the flight data recorder, was located within 28 hours of the disaster. The crash occurred in Ahmedabad, resulting in at least 279 fatalities.
Most of the victims were passengers on flight AI171, which was en route to London Gatwick. Almost all of the passengers perished after the plane crashed into buildings shortly after an unsuccessful takeoff from Ahmedabad airport. The flight captain, Sumeet Sabharwal, issued a mayday call just seconds after the plane left the runway.
The investigation, led by Indian officials with assistance from the UK and US, has not yet released any findings. Initial focus is on potential engine failure and issues with the wing flaps and landing gear as possible causes for the crash.
Many relatives of the victims are awaiting DNA testing results before receiving the bodies of their loved ones. Approximately 80 of the deceased had been identified by late Sunday. The process is described as meticulous and slow.
Funerals have been held for some, while others face an agonizing wait. One family member expressed the frustration of the delay in receiving information.
One of the identified victims was a former chief minister of Gujarat state. Relatives of a victim were instructed not to open the coffin upon receiving it.
Air India reported the flight had 169 Indian passengers, 53 British, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian, along with 12 crew members. A multi-faith vigil was held in London by members of the UK’s Indian community. Only one passenger, a British man, survived the crash.
This was the first crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner plane. Air India was instructed to conduct additional maintenance and checks on its remaining fleet. Other major airlines continue to operate the model.
A precautionary measure was taken when an Air India 787, en route to New Delhi from Hong Kong, turned back due to a suspected technical issue. The flight landed safely and was undergoing checks.
Boeing, the plane manufacturer, reduced its presence at the Paris airshow, canceling a media reception. A Boeing team was sent to Ahmedabad to assist with the investigation.
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