What black box holds inside and what can it reveal about Air India plane crash?

The flight data recorder from the downed Air India plane was retrieved on Friday, anticipated to offer essential insights into the reasons behind the crash that resulted in the deaths of 241 passengers and numerous individuals on the ground.

Shortly after takeoff on Thursday, June 12, a Boeing 787 heading to London crashed into a hostel of a medical college in a residential area of Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The digital flight data recorder, commonly known as the black box, was found on a rooftop adjacent to the crash site, and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau announced that it has commenced its efforts with “full force.” At the same time, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu mentioned in a post on X that the retrieval of the black box represents an “important step forward in the investigation.”

The AAIB has retrieved the Flight Data Recorder (Black Box) from the accident location in Ahmedabad within 28 hours. This signifies a crucial advancement in the inquiry. Naidu remarked that this will greatly assist the investigation into the event.

A black box in aviation denotes two essential flight recording instruments on an aircraft: Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR).

Flight Data Recorder – This instrument captures crucial flight metrics such as velocity, altitude, engine functionality, direction, and flight control actions.

Cockpit Voice Recorder – This captures audio within the cockpit, documenting discussions among pilots, alarms, and surrounding sounds.

In analyzing the Ahmedabad crash, the black box will be crucial in determining if the incident was due to a mechanical issue, engine malfunction, bird collision, onboard fire, or pilot error. The black box will provide detailed details regarding the crew’s MAYDAY call, any alerts generated by the system, and their attempts to regain control in the crucial moments after takeoff.

Additionally, the device will disclose details regarding the engine and control configurations, alongside what the voice recorder will indicate about cockpit dialogues, Paul Fromme, a mechanical engineer with the UK-based Institution of Mechanical Engineers, stated in a report by the Associated Press.

The DGCA stated that its upgraded inspection will involve assessments of different systems and an evaluation of the take-off specifications of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner planes owned by Air India and the Tata Group.

Both FDR and CVR equipment continuously gather and store data throughout a flight. The FDR captures technical and performance data, whereas the CVR documents audio within the cockpit, as per reports. In the case of an accident, this saved information is accessed and examined to comprehend what was occurring mechanically and with the crew just before the crash.

Aviation safety expert Jeff Guzzetti, a prior crash investigator for the US National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration, stated that investigators may be able to address key questions regarding the cause of the crash by next week, provided the flight data recorder is functioning properly.

According to Guzzetti, as reported by AP, investigators are probably examining if the wing flaps were properly adjusted, if there was a loss of engine power, if cockpit alarms were triggered, and if the flight crew accurately entered details regarding the high external temperature and the weight of fuel and passengers.