Authorities probing the Air India crash have announced the recovery of the Cockpit Voice Recorder, a significant development that will aid in determining the factors leading to the tragedy that resulted in 270 fatalities, including 241 individuals on the aircraft. Previously, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) had reported that only the Flight Data Recorder from the ill-fated flight had been retrieved. The confirmation of the black boxes’ recovery was conveyed to PK Mishra, the Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit on Sunday to the crash site in Ahmedabad that occurred on June 12. He also toured the civil hospital where the injured are receiving care. Mr. Mishra presided over a high-level review meeting at the Circuit House, where he engaged with senior officials from the central and state governments, the AAIB, and the Airports Authority of India, discussing the ongoing efforts for relief, rescue, and investigations, as detailed in an official statement.
The AAIB is conducting a thorough investigation, while the US National Transportation Safety Board is undertaking a concurrent inquiry in accordance with international standards since the aircraft was manufactured in the United States. The statement noted, “Officials informed Dr. Mishra that both the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) have been found and secured.” The recovery of both black boxes is expected to facilitate investigators in pinpointing the reasons behind the crash. Almost all of the 242 individuals, comprising passengers and crew members aboard the Boeing 787-8 (AI 171), along with 29 others, including five MBBS students on the ground, lost their lives when the aircraft crashed into a medical college campus in Meghaninagar just after departing from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.
During his inspection of the crash site near BJ Medical College in Meghaninagar, Mr. Mishra was briefed by high-ranking officials from the state government, AAIB, and the Airports Authority of India on the timeline of events and immediate response actions, according to the release.
While at the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, he met with grieving families, observed the DNA matching processes, and instructed authorities to facilitate a smooth and compassionate approach for the families involved. Additionally, he spoke to the injured individuals and directed hospital staff to prioritize their medical care and recovery. “The scale of this tragedy deeply saddens me. Everyone is grieving. It is our responsibility to share in this sorrow and express our condolences to the victims,” Mr. Mishra stated to reporters. At the Forensic Science Laboratory in Gandhinagar, he assessed the DNA sampling procedures and emphasized the importance of expediting the identification process while ensuring scientific accuracy, as outlined in the release.
Mr. Mishra reaffirmed the Prime Minister’s commitment to providing comprehensive support to the families of the victims and ensuring a well-coordinated response from all involved agencies. Accompanying him were PMO officials, the Prime Minister's advisor, Tarun Kapoor, and Deputy Secretary of the PMO, Mangesh Ghildiyal, as noted in the release.
