Fact Check: Investigators found black boxes from the crashed Air India plane
What We Know
On June 8, 2023, Air India Flight AI171 crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, India, resulting in the tragic loss of 241 lives, with only one survivor. The aircraft, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, crashed into a residential area, causing additional casualties on the ground. According to India's Civil Aviation Minister, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, one of the two black boxes, specifically the flight data recorder, was recovered within 28 hours of the crash. This recovery was confirmed by multiple sources, including the BBC, which stated that the black box was found on the rooftop of a building struck by the aircraft (BBC, BBC). The search for the second black box, the cockpit voice recorder, is ongoing (BBC).
Analysis
The claim that investigators found black boxes from the crashed Air India plane is partially true. While it is confirmed that one black box (the flight data recorder) was indeed recovered, the second black box (the cockpit voice recorder) has not yet been located. The recovery of the flight data recorder is a significant step in the investigation, as it provides crucial data regarding the aircraft's performance and operational parameters leading up to the crash (AP News).
The reliability of the sources reporting this information is high. The BBC and other major news outlets have covered the incident extensively, providing updates from government officials and eyewitness accounts. The Civil Aviation Minister's statements are also credible, as they come from an official government source involved in the investigation (BBC, PBS). However, the ongoing search for the second black box means that the claim cannot be considered fully accurate, as it implies that both black boxes have been recovered.
Conclusion
The claim that investigators found black boxes from the crashed Air India plane is partially true. While one black box has been recovered, the second remains missing, which is crucial for a complete understanding of the crash. The distinction is important, as the presence of only one black box limits the data available for investigators to determine the cause of the accident.
Sources
- Minister says black box found at crash site as families await ...
- Air India: Black box found at Ahmedabad crash site as families ... - BBC
- Air India plane crash probe focuses on black boxes and cockpit data ...
- Authorities investigate Air India crash in which 1 passenger ...
- Cause of deadly Air India crash investigated after black boxes are ...
