The investigation into the deadly crash of Air India flight AI-171 in Ahmedabad has gained momentum, with multiple international aviation agencies joining efforts to support India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). Progress has been made with the recovery of both black boxes from the crash site.”
Among the global teams assisting the probe are experts from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the United Kingdom’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), according to official sources. Representatives from Boeing, the aircraft manufacturer, are also expected to join the investigation shortly.
The Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR)—which captures conversations between the pilots, in-flight alarms, and ambient cockpit sounds—was retrieved recently. It follows the earlier discovery of the Flight Data Recorder (FDR), which logs critical flight metrics like altitude, speed, and engine status.
Together, these devices are essential in reconstructing the final minutes before the aircraft went down. AAIB experts, now supported by international counterparts, have begun analyzing the data to determine the root cause of the accident.
The collaboration signals the high priority and complexity of the investigation, as authorities seek answers to one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent Indian history.
The crash, which occurred on June 12 in the Meghaninagar area of Ahmedabad, has claimed 270 lives, including 241 passengers and several people on the ground. One of the victims was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, prompting the state government to declare a day of mourning on June 17. All official events have been suspended, and the national flag is being flown at half-mast in his honor.
Relief and Support Efforts in Full Swing
In the aftermath of the crash, the Gujarat government has launched large-scale relief and support operations to assist victims’ families:
District Collectors and nodal officers have been assigned to personally assist families and help with insurance and compensation claims.
A special help center has been set up at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, where families can get support with insurance paperwork. New India Assurance, HDFC Life, and LIC have all stationed representatives there to provide guidance.
Authorities have collected over 250 DNA samples from relatives to identify the deceased. So far, 62 matches have been confirmed and 35 bodies handed over to families.
More than 250 officials are helping families throughout the process — from DNA matching to transporting remains and organizing funerals, ensuring everything is handled with dignity and care.
Over 850 healthcare workers, including trauma specialists, are supporting the injured and offering counseling to grieving relatives.
Free flights, accommodation, and ground transportation are being arranged for out-of-town families, with help desks set up to coordinate logistics and support.
State-run helplines and emergency centers have been responding to thousands of inquiries from concerned relatives across the country.
On Sunday, P.K. Mishra, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, visited the crash site to oversee the investigation and later checked on the injured at the hospital.
As the investigation unfolds, both central and state authorities are working closely to uncover the cause of the crash and ensure that families receive the support they need during this incredibly difficult time.
