Black box recovered; three-month deadline for investigation; safety checks on Dreamliners initiated
New Delhi | June 14, 2025
The Union Government has constituted a high-level committee to investigate the cause of the Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad, which claimed the lives of 100 passengers and crew members earlier this week.
At a press briefing held in the national capital on Saturday, Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu announced that the panel, comprising three members with diverse technical and operational expertise, has been given a three-month deadline to complete its findings.
“Decoding of the black box is going to give in-depth insight into what happened moments before the crash,” Naidu said, adding that every theory surrounding the crash will be investigated.
The black box, recovered on Friday evening, will now be sent for forensic analysis and data decoding. Investigators expect it to provide crucial data on cockpit conversations, engine status, and in-flight controls in the final minutes before impact.
Immediate Inspections Ordered for Boeing 787 Fleet
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated technical inspections of all 33 Boeing 787 aircraft currently operated by Indian carriers. Of these, eight aircraft have already undergone detailed inspection, while the remainder will be examined on an urgent basis.
“We felt there is a need for extended surveillance into the Boeing 787 series,” the Minister said. “The DGCA has been directed to strengthen surveillance of airworthiness and maintenance protocols across all wide-body aircraft.”
Naidu confirmed that the crashed aircraft was fitted with Genx engines, a model that is now under specific scrutiny.
DNA Testing Underway for Victim Identification
Before the briefing began, a one-minute silence was observed in memory of the victims. The Minister said that DNA testing is currently being conducted to identify the deceased, with the Gujarat government overseeing coordination with victims’ families.
“Once the DNA confirmation is completed, the remains will be handed over to the respective families,” he stated. “We are hopeful the process concludes as soon as possible.”
“A Tragic and Horrific Incident”
Expressing his condolences, Naidu acknowledged the profound grief of the bereaved families.
“To a certain extent, I can understand the pain and anguish that the family members are feeling. I would like to reiterate that this was a very tragic incident—a very horrific incident for everyone.”
The Air India Dreamliner, operating on an international route, crashed while preparing to land at Ahmedabad airport amid what eyewitnesses described as “extreme engine noise and an abrupt descent.” A formal cause has not yet been confirmed.
The crash is among the worst aviation disasters in recent Indian history. The Ministry of Civil Aviation and the DGCA have assured full transparency in the investigation and timely public dissemination of findings.
