One black box found after deadly Air India crash

One of the two black boxes has been recovered from the wreckage of the Air India Dreamliner that crashed shortly after take-off in Ahmedabad, killing 241 of the 242 people on board, according to Hindustan Times.

Investigators are now working to retrieve the second black box, the flight data recorder, while analysis begins on the cockpit voice recorder that has already been found. The black boxes are expected to be central to understanding the cause of the crash, which marks the first fatal accident involving the 787 Dreamliner since its launch.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, bound for London, went down in a residential area minutes after take-off on Thursday, striking a hostel for medical staff and leaving debris scattered across the neighborhood. Among the dead are passengers from India, the UK, Portugal, and Canada, as well as several people on the ground. The lone survivor, identified as British national Vishwashkumar Ramesh, remains in hospital after being pulled from the wreckage.

Boeing, whose reputation is still reeling from past safety and production controversies, has cancelled top-level attendance at next week’s Paris Air Show. CEO Kelly Ortberg and Boeing Commercial Airplanes head Stephanie Pope will remain in the U.S. to focus on the crisis.

“As our industry prepares to start the Paris Air Show, Stephanie and I have both cancelled plans to attend so we can be with our team and focus on our customer and the investigation,” Ortberg told staff in a message obtained by Reuters.

While early indications have not pointed to a manufacturing flaw, aviation experts say all possibilities remain open.

“Safety is foundational to our industry,” Ortberg added. “Our technical experts are prepared to assist investigators to understand the circumstances.”

John Nance, an aviation safety analyst, said Boeing’s biggest challenge now is public perception.

“To the public, a Boeing plane has crashed. But the actual cause may have nothing to do with the manufacturer,” explained Nance.

Boeing shares closed down nearly 5% Thursday as news of the crash spread. The company had hoped to use the Paris Air Show to turn a corner after a month that included more than 300 new orders and signs of recovery in its 737 production line.

Indian aviation officials, along with U.S. authorities and Boeing experts, are expected to conduct a joint probe into what has become the deadliest aviation disaster in over a decade.

As families begin the process of grieving and seeking answers, officials say recovering the second black box is now a top priority.

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