India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is currently evaluating whether the flight data and cockpit voice recorders from the recent Air India crash will be sent overseas for thorough analysis. Last Thursday, the London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner tragically went down shortly after departing from Ahmedabad airport, claiming the lives of at least 270 individuals, primarily passengers.
Conflicting reports have emerged regarding the status of the black boxes, with some suggesting they are destined for foreign analysis. However, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has stated that no conclusive decision has been made. The AAIB plans to assess several factors—technical, safety, and security—before determining the appropriate location for analysis.
Both sets of Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorders (EAFRs), commonly known as "black boxes," have been recovered from the crash site, discovered on June 13 and 16. These devices play a critical role in reconstructing flights and understanding their final moments, capturing an array of data, including engine performance and pilot interactions.
Nevertheless, there are concerns regarding potential damage to the recorders caused by the post-crash fire, complicating data extraction efforts within India. Captain Kishore Chinta, a former AAIB investigator, noted that one set of recorders might be sent to the United States to compare data with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). This discussion is occurring despite the recent inauguration of a new AAIB lab in Delhi in April, whose operational readiness for EAFR data downloads remains uncertain.
In other developments, Air India's chairman revealed that one of the aircraft engines was new, while the other was not scheduled for service until December. The airline has completed inspections on 26 out of its 33 Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 airplanes, which have all been cleared for service.
As a precautionary measure following the crash, India's aviation regulator ordered additional safety checks on Air India's Boeing 787 fleet. Consequently, the airline has announced reductions in flights across 16 international routes and the suspension of services to three overseas destinations between June 21 and July 15. The airline stated these reductions are a result of enhanced pre-flight safety checks and adjustments for longer flight durations due to airspace closures in the Middle East.
