• India to send black boxes from the Air India crash to the US for analysis.
• The flight data and cockpit voice recorders were heavily damaged.
• Investigators aim to determine the cause of the deadly crash.
• In total, at least 270 people were killed in the disaster.
• Authorities are improving safety checks on the Boeing 787 fleet.

India is preparing to send the severely damaged black boxes from the recent Air India Boeing 787 crash to the United States due to the recorders sustaining significant damage from a post-crash fire, making data recovery impossible within the country. The flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) will be analyzed at the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) laboratory in Washington. The findings will then be shared with India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), which leads the investigation, according to Indiatimes and Dawn.

The tragic incident, which resulted in the loss of at least 270 lives, occurred shortly after the aircraft took off from Ahmedabad. Initial investigations have indicated substantial damage to both sets of Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorders (EAFRs) found at the crash site. Experts have noted that while the newly inaugurated AAIB laboratory in Delhi could potentially analyze the data, its operational capability for such severely damaged devices remains uncertain, as stated by a former accident investigator and reported by BBC.

As investigators continue to pursue the cause of the catastrophe, they are examining several factors, including the functionality of the wing flaps and the deployment of landing gear. This analysis is crucial for understanding the final moments of the flight, as data from the recorders can provide vital insights, including altitude and speed information as well as cockpit conversations. The comprehensive analysis may take considerable time, potentially ranging from days to months, depending on the extent of the damage, according to Indiatimes and Dawn.

In the aftermath of the crash, Air India announced its decision to reduce flights on several international routes as part of enhanced pre-flight safety measures, emphasizing the need for thorough inspections of its Boeing 787 fleet. These measures aim to prevent potential safety risks following this significant disaster, as indicated by BBC.