The recovery of the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) marks a significant milestone in the investigation into the Air India flight crash that killed 270 people last week.
Air India Flight Crash: Cockpit Voice Recorder Recovered in Search for Answers

Air India Flight Crash: Cockpit Voice Recorder Recovered in Search for Answers
Investigators recover critical cockpit voice recorder as families wait for news on their loved ones.
Investigators in India have successfully retrieved the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) from the wreckage of the ill-fated Air India flight AI171, which tragically crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was heading to London when it met with disaster, resulting in the loss of nearly all passengers and crew aboard. The recovery of the CVR, alongside the flight data recorder (FDR), is essential for understanding the events leading to the crash.
Both devices are crucial tools in aviation accident investigations; they help experts analyze pilot communications, alarms, and critical flight parameters. The black box, as it is often referred to, consists of two bright orange devices designed to withstand the impact of a crash, ensuring that vital information is preserved.
The inquiry into this devastating incident is spearheaded by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), with support from American and British teams, including the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which is permitted to conduct a simultaneous investigation due to the aircraft's American manufacture. As part of the proceedings, a high-level committee established by the Indian government is expected to convene soon to explore the crash's factors and propose new safety protocols aimed at preventing future accidents.
Families of the victims are enduring an agonizing wait for news, many still grappling with the emotional ramifications of this tragedy. DNA tests are being conducted to identify remains, which have proven to be a painstaking process due to the extensive damage from the crash. To date, over 270 bodies have been recovered from the site, with around 90 identified and some returned to their families.
Among the identified victims is Vijay Rupani, the former chief minister of Gujarat, whose funeral is being arranged with state honors. Meanwhile, authorities are diligently working to match DNA samples while managing the sorrow and uncertainty faced by countless families awaiting news of their loved ones.