Officials investigating the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad confirmed on Sunday the recovery of the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), marking a significant breakthrough in determining the cause of the devastating crash that claimed 270 lives, including 241 people on board.
Earlier, only the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) had been located by investigators from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). With the recovery of both black boxes, experts say a clearer picture of the aircraft’s final moments is likely to emerge.
The confirmation was made to Dr P K Mishra, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to the crash site and Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad, where he interacted with survivors and bereaved families.
Dr Mishra chaired a high-level meeting at Circuit House, joined by senior officials from the Central and State governments, AAIB, and Airports Authority of India (AAI), to review relief and investigation efforts.
“Chairing a high-level review meeting at Circuit House, here Dr Mishra discussed ongoing relief, rescue, and investigation efforts with senior officials from the Central and State Governments, AAIB, and Airports Authority of India,” a Press Information Bureau (PIB) release stated.
The AAIB has launched a full-fledged probe, supported by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which is conducting a parallel investigation under international aviation protocols since the aircraft involved is of American manufacture.
“Officials confirmed to Dr Mishra that the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) have been located and secured,” the release added.
Also read: DNA confirms identities of 31 Ahmedabad crash victims
The London-bound Air India flight AI 171, a Boeing 787-8, crashed minutes after take-off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Sunday morning, striking the campus of B J Medical College in the Meghaninagar area. The impact resulted in a fiery explosion that killed nearly all 242 passengers and crew aboard, as well as 29 people on the ground — among them five MBBS students.
Dr Mishra visited the accident site and was briefed by officials from AAIB, AAI, and the Gujarat government on the crash sequence and the emergency response. He also visited the Civil Hospital, where he met the injured and bereaved families, overseeing DNA sample collection for identification.
“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,” Dr Mishra told reporters.
He further reviewed identification efforts at the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Gandhinagar and stressed the importance of maintaining scientific rigour while ensuring a swift process.
Throughout his visit, Dr Mishra reiterated the Prime Minister’s directive to ensure every form of assistance to affected families and ensure inter-agency coordination for both relief and investigative procedures.
He was accompanied by PMO officials — Advisor to the Prime Minister Tarun Kapoor and Deputy Secretary Mangesh Ghildiyal.a
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