A black box has been discovered at the location of the Air India plane crash that occurred in Ahmedabad, according to India's civil aviation minister on Friday. The flight data recorder was retrieved within 28 hours by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), as confirmed by Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu. The crash, which took place less than a minute after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, led to the loss of all but one of the 242 passengers on the London-bound flight. Reports indicated that at least eight individuals on the ground also lost their lives due to the crash.
"The retrieval of the black box represents a significant advancement in the investigation and will greatly assist with our inquiries into this catastrophic event," Mr. Kinjarapu stated. As ongoing investigations unfold, authorities are assessing the wreckage scattered across the residential area of Meghani Nagar, where large sections of the aircraft impacted surrounding buildings.
The AAIB is leading the investigation into the crash, supported by teams from both the US and the UK. Boeing's chief executive, Kelly Ortberg, expressed that the company is collaborating with investigators. The ill-fated Boeing 787 Dreamliner was carrying a diverse group of passengers, which included 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian. The flight was scheduled to arrive at London’s Gatwick airport.
Wreckage remains strewn across the site, and investigators continue to sift through the remains as crowds are kept at a distance. DNA matching from relatives is being employed to identify victims, with reports indicating that remains of six individuals have been released to their families after identification efforts based on facial features.
Among those affected is British national Vishwashkumar Ramesh, the sole survivor from the crash, who is currently recovering in a hospital. He recounted his harrowing escape, stating, "I still cannot believe how I made it out alive." Ramesh endured burn injuries and witnessed the devastating scene unfold before him.
Families are in a state of anguish as they await information on their missing relatives. Imtiaz Ali, whose family was aboard the flight, expressed the emotional turmoil of uncertainty. "Until I see my brother's body, I will not believe he has died," he told reporters, illustrating the deep pain of loved ones left behind.
The crash's impact was severe, with debris scattered over a distance of approximately 200 meters. While the number of casualties on the ground remains uncertain, Dr. Minakshi Parikh confirmed that four medical students and family members of doctors at the campus where the plane struck were among the deceased. "We cannot afford mistakes in identifying them," she stressed, urging families to remain patient.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site, spending time inspecting the wreckage alongside Air India CEO Campbell Wilson, who described the experience as profoundly moving. Tracking data reveals that the Boeing 787 had been operational for 11 years and had successfully completed over 700 flights in the year prior to the accident, primarily servicing routes between major cities.
As families continue to cling to hope amidst their grief, the search for answers in the wake of this tragedy remains a pressing priority.
