AAIB Begins Black Box Data Analysis from Air India Flight AI-171 Crash

New Delhi : The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has initiated the examination of black box data following the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI-171. In accordance with international protocols under the ICAO Chicago Convention and India’s Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2017, a multidisciplinary investigation team was formed on 13 June 2025. The team, led by DG AAIB, includes experts in aviation medicine, air traffic control, and representatives from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) — the state of manufacture and design. Both the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR) were recovered — one from a rooftop at the crash site on 13 June, and the other from debris on 16 June. The black boxes were securely transported under 24×7 police surveillance and brought to Delhi via Indian Air Force aircraft on 24 June 2025.

Data extraction began the same evening, and on 25 June, data from the memory module was successfully downloaded. The analysis of CVR and FDR data is now underway to reconstruct the accident timeline and identify contributing factors, with the aim of improving aviation safety. The investigation is being conducted in full compliance with international standards.