This boosts hopes of identifying the cause of the deadly crash; Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi PK Mishra leads high-level review and visits injured survivors

Ahmedabad: Officials investigating Sunday’s deadly Air India crash in Ahmedabad have confirmed the recovery of the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), a crucial discovery that could help determine the cause of the accident, which claimed 270 lives, including 241 on board.

Earlier, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) had located only the Flight Data Recorder (FDR).

The recovery was confirmed to PK Mishra, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who on Sunday inspected the crash site and visited the Civil Hospital where several injured persons are undergoing treatment.

Mishra chaired a high-level review meeting at Circuit House with senior officials from the Centre, State government, AAIB, and Airports Authority of India (AAI) to assess ongoing rescue and investigation operations, a PIB release stated.

“Officials confirmed to Dr Mishra that the Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder have been located and secured,” the release added.

The AAIB has initiated a detailed probe, while the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is conducting a parallel investigation under international protocols, as the aircraft — a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner — is American-made.

Investigators hope the retrieval of both black boxes will enable a clearer understanding of the sequence of events that led to the crash.

Flight AI171, bound for London, crashed moments after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, slamming into the campus of BJ Medical College in the Meghaninagar area and bursting into flames.

Of the 242 passengers and crew aboard, only one survivor has been confirmed. Another 29 people on the ground, including five MBBS students, were also killed in the incident.

Mishra visited the crash site and the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Gandhinagar, where he reviewed DNA sample matching efforts. He emphasized both speed and scientific accuracy in victim identification.

At Civil Hospital, he met bereaved families, interacted with the injured, and directed officials to provide seamless and compassionate support.

“I am very pained by the enormity of the tragedy. Everyone is deeply saddened. It is our duty to share the grief and express our solidarity with the victims,” Mishra told reporters.

He was accompanied by PMO officials, including Advisor Tarun Kapoor and Deputy Secretary Mangesh Ghildiyal, the release added.