Air India crash kills 265: Black box key to uncovering cause, here’s what it is

In a tragic incident, an Air India Boeing Dreamliner bound for London crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, killing 265 people, including 24 students at the B.J. Medical College hostel, which the plane struck. Of the 242 passengers and crew onboard, only one person survived.

Also read: Ahmedabad Air India flight crash: 265 dead, massive fire fueled by 1.25 lakh litres of jet fuel

The Air Accident Investigation Bureau has launched a full probe, in line with global aviation safety norms set by the International Civil Aviation Organization. Investigators are now looking out for the aircraft's black box to examine it to determine the cause of the crash.

Commonly known as a black box, this device is actually bright orange for easier visibility during crash recovery. It includes two components: the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR). Together, they record critical flight parameters—such as altitude, engine speed, fuel levels—and the final two hours of cockpit conversations and sounds.

Black boxes are built to endure extreme conditions: temperatures up to 1,100°C and deep-sea pressures up to 6,000 meters. If submerged, an ultrasonic beacon sends location signals for up to 30 days.

These devices are typically located at the rear of the aircraft, a section more likely to remain intact during crashes. Once recovered, data experts examine the recorders in labs to retrieve and analyze the contents—essential in uncovering what happened in the final moments of the ill-fated flight.