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A black box has been discovered at the site of the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, according to the country's civil aviation minister. The flight data recorder was retrieved in under 28 hours by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), as confirmed by Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu. Tragically, all but one of the 242 passengers aboard the flight, destined for London, lost their lives when the aircraft plunged into a residential area less than a minute after takeoff on Thursday. Reports indicate that at least eight individuals on the ground also perished in the incident.
"The recovery of the black box signifies a critical development in the investigation," Mr. Kinjarapu stated, adding that it will greatly enhance the inquiry into the cause of the crash. Standard practice in aviation entails that planes are equipped with two black boxes, which—though small—are hardy devices. One records flight data like altitude and speed, while the other captures cockpit audio, granting investigators insight into the pilots' actions and ambient sounds.
The AAIB is stationed at the scene, with support from teams dispatched from the US and UK. Boeing's CEO, Kelly Ortberg, noted that the company is assisting with the investigation. Among the passengers were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British, seven from Portugal, and one Canadian on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner when it crashed shortly after its departure from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 13:39 local time.
While the wreckage remains scattered across the crash site—the remnants including a blackened wing and sizable pieces embedded in buildings—investigators are working diligently. As crowds of onlookers were pushed back, medical professionals informed that identification of victims will rely heavily on DNA matching. So far, a police official indicated that the remains of six individuals have been identified and released to their families.
The only known survivor, British national Vishwashkumar Ramesh, has been hospitalized and is recovering from his injuries sustained during the crash. In an emotional interview, Ramesh recounted his miraculous escape from the tragedy, indicating disbelief that he survived as he witnessed his fellow passengers and crew perish.
Families left in anguish are desperate for news of their loved ones. Imtiaz Ali, whose brother was onboard, expressed his unwillingness to accept the loss until he sees his brother's body. “If I show any signs of sadness, I won't be able to handle it,” he told the BBC.
The disaster took place in Meghani Nagar, where the impact was severe despite the plane's recent takeoff. Reports suggest wreckage was strewn over 200 meters, and while the exact number of fatalities on the ground remains uncertain, eyewitness accounts indicate that at least eight non-passengers lost their lives, including four medical students killed in an on-campus incident.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site, spending approximately 20 minutes reviewing the wreckage. While he did not engage with reporters, footage shared on his YouTube channel captured him investigating the aftermath.
On the same day, Air India’s CEO Campbell Wilson shared his experience following his visit to the crash site, describing it as a moving experience. The ill-fated Boeing 787-8 had completed over 700 flights in the previous year and had a specialized history of routes including those to London from Ahmedabad. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has since mandated further safety inspections on Air India's fleet of 787-8 and 787-9 jets as a precautionary measure.
A black box has been discovered at the site of the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, according to the country's civil aviation minister. The flight data recorder was retrieved in under 28 hours by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), as confirmed by Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu. Tragically, all but one of the 242 passengers aboard the flight, destined for London, lost their lives when the aircraft plunged into a residential area less than a minute after takeoff on Thursday. Reports indicate that at least eight individuals on the ground also perished in the incident.
"The recovery of the black box signifies a critical development in the investigation," Mr. Kinjarapu stated, adding that it will greatly enhance the inquiry into the cause of the crash. Standard practice in aviation entails that planes are equipped with two black boxes, which—though small—are hardy devices. One records flight data like altitude and speed, while the other captures cockpit audio, granting investigators insight into the pilots' actions and ambient sounds.
The AAIB is stationed at the scene, with support from teams dispatched from the US and UK. Boeing's CEO, Kelly Ortberg, noted that the company is assisting with the investigation. Among the passengers were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British, seven from Portugal, and one Canadian on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner when it crashed shortly after its departure from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 13:39 local time.
While the wreckage remains scattered across the crash site—the remnants including a blackened wing and sizable pieces embedded in buildings—investigators are working diligently. As crowds of onlookers were pushed back, medical professionals informed that identification of victims will rely heavily on DNA matching. So far, a police official indicated that the remains of six individuals have been identified and released to their families.
The only known survivor, British national Vishwashkumar Ramesh, has been hospitalized and is recovering from his injuries sustained during the crash. In an emotional interview, Ramesh recounted his miraculous escape from the tragedy, indicating disbelief that he survived as he witnessed his fellow passengers and crew perish.
Families left in anguish are desperate for news of their loved ones. Imtiaz Ali, whose brother was onboard, expressed his unwillingness to accept the loss until he sees his brother's body. “If I show any signs of sadness, I won't be able to handle it,” he told the BBC.
The disaster took place in Meghani Nagar, where the impact was severe despite the plane's recent takeoff. Reports suggest wreckage was strewn over 200 meters, and while the exact number of fatalities on the ground remains uncertain, eyewitness accounts indicate that at least eight non-passengers lost their lives, including four medical students killed in an on-campus incident.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site, spending approximately 20 minutes reviewing the wreckage. While he did not engage with reporters, footage shared on his YouTube channel captured him investigating the aftermath.
On the same day, Air India’s CEO Campbell Wilson shared his experience following his visit to the crash site, describing it as a moving experience. The ill-fated Boeing 787-8 had completed over 700 flights in the previous year and had a specialized history of routes including those to London from Ahmedabad. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has since mandated further safety inspections on Air India's fleet of 787-8 and 787-9 jets as a precautionary measure.
