Indian investigators successfully downloaded data from the black box of Air India Flight 171 on Wednesday, marking a crucial breakthrough in the probe of the deadly crash that killed 260 people two weeks ago. However, the investigation faces mounting criticism over delays in appointing a lead investigator, raising questions about the efficiency of the probe process.
The government confirmed that data from the front black box was retrieved on June 25 at the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau lab in Delhi, following the crash protection module's safe extraction the previous evening. The analysis aims to reconstruct the sequence of events that led to the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashing seconds after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12.
Despite the technical progress, the AAIB has yet to formally appoint a lead investigator nearly two weeks after the crash, violating International Civil Aviation Organization norms that require immediate appointment and a preliminary report within 30 days12. Sources indicate Dhruv Rebbapragada, a former Airbus safety executive, has been selected but lacks official authorization to access critical materials or compel cooperation1.
"The appointment has to come via an official order," aviation safety expert Amit Singh told the Economic Times. "Without such authority, investigators are unable to compel cooperation or access the crash site freely"1.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu defended the process, saying the investigation started from "Day 1" but declined to commit to a timeline for formal appointments2.
Initial findings suggest the aircraft's emergency power system was active before impact, potentially indicating engine or hydraulic failure during takeoff1. The Wall Street Journal reported that investigators found the ram air turbine—a backup power system—was operating when the Dreamliner crashed12.
Both black boxes were recovered from the crash site between June 13 and 16, transported to Delhi under heavy security for analysis by teams from AAIB, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, and UK investigators32.
Viswashkumar Ramesh, the sole survivor seated in 11A, described walking out through a compromised emergency exit after his section detached and landed on the hostel's ground floor12. His brother Ajay, seated in the same row, was among those who perished1.
Officials have identified 259 victims through DNA testing and facial recognition, with 256 bodies returned to families34. The crash into B.J. Medical College's residential campus also killed an estimated 19-34 people on the ground35.
Air India has implemented additional safety inspections on its Boeing 787 fleet and reduced international wide-body operations by 15 percent pending the investigation54.
