Nation

IIE DIGITAL DESK : The investigations continue into the recent Air India crash, the airline on Thursday confirmed that the aircraft’s black box — a crucial component for understanding the cause of the accident — has not yet been found. This revelation has fueled widespread speculation and concern over the delay in retrieving vital flight data, as search and recovery operations intensify at the crash site.

Which involved an Air India flight reportedly going down under mysterious circumstances, has already sent shockwaves through the aviation sector and rattled the general public. While authorities have not yet disclosed the exact location of the crash, multiple sources have confirmed that the terrain and weather conditions in the area are making recovery efforts particularly challenging.

 Air India said, “We are working closely with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and other relevant agencies. However, as of now, the aircraft’s black box has not been located. Recovery teams are continuing operations on the ground, and every effort is being made to retrieve the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder.”

The airline’s remarks come amid a swirl of online rumors and unverified reports suggesting either the black box has already been found and withheld or has been destroyed beyond use. Air India has categorically denied such claims, calling them “unsubstantiated and harmful to ongoing investigations.”

The black box, which comprises the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), is vital to understanding what happened in the final moments before the crash. Without it, investigators are left to rely on secondary data, radar recordings, air traffic control communications, and eyewitness accounts — many of which are fragmented or inconclusive at this stage.

A senior official from the DGCA, who requested anonymity, stated, “We are in the early stages of the investigation. No conclusions can be drawn yet. Locating the black box is our top priority, and a specialized team with experience in deep-recovery missions is now being deployed.”

This particular aircraft, reportedly a wide-body long-haul jet, was known to be relatively new and had undergone standard checks before departure. Aviation analysts note that modern aircraft are equipped with Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs) that can help pinpoint crash locations. However, in this case, experts speculate that the beacon may have failed or become damaged during the impact.

Families of passengers have expressed mounting frustration at the lack of clarity surrounding the crash and the ongoing delays in retrieving crucial evidence. “We want answers,” said a relative of one passenger at the airline’s crisis center. “The fact that the black box is still missing after so many hours is deeply troubling.”

Aviation experts and former pilots have weighed in on news channels and social media, urging the public not to jump to conclusions but also calling for transparency from both the airline and regulatory bodies. Former Air India pilot Captain Rakesh Mehra commented, “It is not unheard of for black boxes to be difficult to locate, especially if the crash occurred in a remote or underwater location. But consistent updates from authorities are necessary to maintain public trust.”

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has issued a statement promising a full inquiry and assuring families of full support. “Our thoughts are with the families. We are deploying all resources necessary to determine the cause of this tragic event,” it said.

As of now, rescue teams, crash investigators, and forensic experts remain on-site, continuing their efforts. Until the black box is recovered and analyzed, the mystery surrounding this tragic crash remains unsolved — with the nation waiting anxiously for the truth to emerge.