Investigators find cockpit voice recorder from crashed Air India flight

In a significant and highly anticipated development, investigators probing the recent Air India flight crash in Ahmedabad have successfully recovered the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) from the wreckage. This pivotal discovery marks a critical step forward in understanding the precise sequence of events that led to the catastrophic accident, which claimed the lives of at least 270 people, including 241 passengers on board and dozens on the ground. The retrieval of the CVR, often referred to as one of the "black boxes," follows the earlier recovery of the flight data recorder (FDR), completing the collection of the two most crucial pieces of evidence in any aviation disaster investigation.
The London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner, operating as Air India Flight AI-171, crashed moments after takeoff from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport last Thursday. Eyewitness accounts and preliminary reports suggested a sudden and dramatic loss of power and thrust, with the pilot reportedly issuing a "Mayday" call just seconds before impact. The aircraft, carrying 242 individuals (230 passengers, 2 pilots, and 10 crew members), slammed into residential buildings bordering the airport, causing immense devastation. The scale of the tragedy is underscored by the high number of fatalities, with many bodies charred or mutilated, necessitating painstaking DNA identification efforts for grieving families. A single passenger, a 40-year-old British man, miraculously survived the crash and is currently recovering.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India is leading the complex investigation, with substantial assistance from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) due to the aircraft's American manufacture. The retrieval of both the CVR and FDR is paramount to their efforts. While the FDR records a vast array of flight parameters – including altitude, airspeed, heading, engine performance, and control surface movements – the CVR provides an audio snapshot of the cockpit environment. This includes all conversations between the flight crew, radio transmissions with air traffic control (ATC), and crucial ambient sounds such as engine noises, warning alarms, and the activation of various cockpit systems.
The data extracted from the CVR is expected to shed light on several critical aspects of the flight's final moments. Investigators will meticulously analyze the audio to determine the exact nature and timing of the pilot's distress call. While initial reports indicated a "Mayday" declaration, the CVR will confirm whether the pilot also communicated a loss of power or thrust, which would be a decisive clue directing the focus of the investigation towards engine failure or related mechanical issues. Furthermore, the CVR will reveal the precise dialogue between Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Kunder, offering insights into their reactions, decision-making process, and any attempts to resolve the unfolding emergency. Even subtle changes in tone or the sounds of alarm bells and system alerts can provide invaluable context that debriefings with ATC personnel might not capture fully.
The combined data from both black boxes will allow investigators to virtually reconstruct the flight path and the events that transpired in the crucial 36 seconds after takeoff, a period during which the aircraft reportedly lost thrust and began its fatal descent. This comprehensive picture is essential for understanding whether the crash was due to mechanical failure, human error, a combination of factors, or unforeseen external elements. Theories currently being considered by aviation experts range from a sudden and simultaneous failure of both engines, issues with wing flaps or landing gear, or a system-wide electrical malfunction. While there were no prior indications of technical faults or distress calls before takeoff, and weather conditions were stable, the CVR and FDR will provide definitive answers.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's principal secretary, Pramod Kumar Mishra, has visited the crash site to oversee ongoing relief efforts and emphasize the government's commitment to a thorough investigation and support for the victims' families. The tragic incident has deeply affected India, with ongoing efforts to identify victims through DNA matching and hand over remains to their grieving relatives. The aviation community, both in India and globally, watches closely as the investigation unfolds, eager for answers that can prevent similar catastrophes in the future. The recovery of the CVR marks a significant step towards achieving that clarity, offering a voice to the final moments of a flight that ended in such profound loss.
Source@BBC