A key breakthrough has been made in the investigation into the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, as officials recovered the aircraft’s black box just 28 hours after the tragic incident that claimed 241 lives.
India’s civil aviation minister, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, confirmed that the flight data recorder—essential for understanding what caused the Boeing 787 to crash shortly after take-off—was secured by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).
Near-Total Loss in Seconds
Flight AI171, which departed Ahmedabad for London Gatwick, crashed into a densely populated area less than a minute after take-off. Of the 242 people on board, only one—British national Vishwashkumar Ramesh—survived. The 40-year-old, who sustained burns, described escaping the wreckage as a miracle.
“I thought I was going to die,” he told local media. “I managed to unbuckle my seatbelt and exit the plane.”
Officials confirmed that at least eight people on the ground also lost their lives. The devastation spread across a 200-meter radius, destroying homes, damaging buildings, and shocking residents of the Meghani Nagar area.
Identification Through DNA, Families in Agony
Efforts to identify the victims are ongoing, with doctors relying heavily on DNA testing due to the condition of the remains. Only six bodies had been formally handed over to families as of Friday.
“We are doing this with care and cannot afford mistakes,” said Dr. Minakshi Parikh of BJ Medical College.
The victims include 169 Indians, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian, according to Air India. The wreckage still litters the crash site, including a charred plane wing and the haunting image of the tail embedded in a building, now a symbol of the catastrophe.
High-Level Visits and Investigations
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Air India CEO Campbell Wilson visited the site, offering condolences and inspecting the wreckage. Modi’s visit included a stop at the location of the now-viral image of the plane’s tail lodged in a residential structure.
International teams from the US and UK, along with Boeing representatives, are assisting the AAIB-led inquiry. The plane—a Boeing Dreamliner 787-8—had completed over 700 flights in the past year, with regular routes across Europe and the Middle East.
India’s aviation regulator has ordered emergency inspections of the airline’s Dreamliner fleet as a precaution.
Grief and Uncertainty
As the nation mourns, families continue to search for closure. Imtiaz Ali, whose brother Javed was on the flight, captured the emotional toll.
“Until I see his body, I won’t believe he’s gone. If I cry now, I won’t be able to stop,” he said.
With DNA matching underway and a formal investigation gaining momentum, answers may soon emerge—but for many grieving families, the wait continues.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mO8ben51mRc
