Priyanka Tiwari
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Suspense crime, Digital Desk : Years after the tragic Air India Express plane crash in Kozhikode, India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has released the first-ever public images of the components from the aircraft's crucial "black box," offering a rare glimpse into the evidence that helped unravel the disaster.
The newly released photos show parts of the Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR), one of the two critical black boxes recovered from the wreckage. While the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) captures conversations and sounds from the flight deck, the DFDR is the aircraft's nerve center, meticulously recording hundreds of flight parameters such as altitude, airspeed, engine performance, and control inputs.
The crash occurred on August 7, 2020, when Air India Express flight IX-1344, a Boeing 737 repatriating Indians from Dubai under the Vande Bharat Mission, attempted to land amidst heavy rain at Kozhikode's challenging "table-top" runway. The aircraft overshot the runway, plunged into a gorge, and broke into two pieces, tragically claiming the lives of 21 people, including both pilots.
The data extracted from this very DFDR was instrumental in the official investigation. The final report, released in September 2021, concluded that the probable cause of the accident was pilot error, specifically the pilot's non-adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs). The investigation found that the pilot continued with an unstabilized approach and touched down much further down the runway than recommended, leaving insufficient distance to stop the aircraft safely in the wet conditions.
While the investigation has long been concluded, these newly released images provide a stark and poignant look at the resilient technology designed to survive catastrophic events. They serve as a tangible reminder of the vital role that flight recorders play in ensuring aviation safety and providing definitive answers in the wake of tragedy.
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