Latest news with #JenniferHomendy
Khaleej Times
20 hours ago
- General
- Khaleej Times
Air India crash: Indian investigators download black box data
Investigators have downloaded flight recorder data from an Air India crash this month that killed 260 people, India's civil aviation ministry said on Thursday, a long-awaited step towards understanding the world's worst aviation disaster in a decade. The London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed moments after takeoff from India's Ahmedabad city on June 12, killing 241 of the 242 people on board and the rest on the ground. The black boxes of the plane — the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR) — were recovered in the days that followed, one from the rooftop of a building at the crash site on June 13, and the other from the debris on June 16. The ministry said data from the front recorder was accessed on Wednesday by a team led by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), with the US National Transportation Safety Board. "These efforts aim to reconstruct the sequence of events leading to the accident and identify contributing factors to enhance aviation safety and prevent future occurrences," the ministry said in a statement. US National Transportation Safety Board chair Jennifer Homendy told Reuters on Thursday she hopes the Indian government will be able to share details from the investigation into the crash in short order. "For aviation safety and for public safety and public awareness we hope that they will make their findings public swiftly," Homendy said on the sidelines of an aviation event. She said the NTSB team has been working diligently to provide assistance to India and "we have had excellent cooperation from the Indian government and the AAIB." The probe into the crash of the Air India plane, which started losing height after reaching an altitude of 650 feet, includes a focus on engine thrust, according to a source with knowledge of the matter. The Wall Street Journal has reported that investigators believe the Dreamliner had its emergency-power generator operating when it crashed. Most air crashes are caused by multiple factors, with a preliminary report expected about 30 days after the accident. Two GE recorders, one in the jet's front and another at the rear, are installed on Boeing's 787 jets and record the same set of flight data. GE, which sent experts to India, manufactured the engines on the Air India 787 and also produced the combined flight data and cockpit voice recorder, called an "enhanced airborne flight recorder". The forward recorder is equipped with an independent power supply that provides backup power to the device for about 10 minutes if the plane's power source is lost, the NTSB said in a 2014 report. The decision to begin downloading recorder data around two weeks after the crash was unusually late, three experts told Reuters, and followed speculation that the so-called black boxes could be sent to the United States for analysis. US aviation safety expert Anthony Brickhouse said accident investigators would typically have already given some update on the recorders' status, and have begun downloading data in such a high profile crash. "Normally countries know that the world is watching," he said. India said last week that it was yet to decide where the black boxes would be analyzed. The data retrieved from them could provide critical clues into the aircraft's performance and any conversations between the pilots preceding the crash. India has said its actions have been taken in full compliance with domestic laws and international obligations in a time bound manner.
Saudi Gazette
a day ago
- General
- Saudi Gazette
India recovers data from crashed Air India flight recorders
MUMBAI — Investigators have recovered flight recorder data from the Air India crash earlier this month, the civil aviation ministry has confirmed, marking a key step in the probe. At least 270 people were killed when the London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed less than a minute after taking off on 12 June from Ahmedabad airport in western India. Investigators had earlier recovered both sets of Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorders (EAFRs) - the "black boxes" - from the Boeing 787 crash site on 13 and 16 June - one from a rooftop, the other from the debris. It could be several weeks before the federal government is able to release information gathered from the recorders. The particular aircraft model carries the two recorder sets to aid in thorough analysis. These combined units record flight data and cockpit audio. Data recorders track with high precision the position of gear and flap levers, thrust settings, engine performance, fuel flow and even fire handle activation. The data can be used to reconstruct the flight's final moments and determine the cause of the incident. The cockpit voice recorder (CVR) captures pilot radio calls, individual mic audio, and ambient cockpit sounds via an area microphone. The aviation ministry said data from the recorder was accessed on Wednesday by a team led by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), with the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). "The analysis of CVR and FDR [flight data recorder] data is underway. These efforts aim to reconstruct the sequence of events leading to the accident and identify contributing factors to enhance aviation safety and prevent future occurrences," the ministry said in a statement. Meanwhile, US National Transportation Safety Board chair Jennifer Homendy told Reuters news agency that she hopes the Indian government will be able to share details from the investigation into the crash in short order. "For aviation safety and for public safety and public awareness we hope that they will make their findings public swiftly," Homendy said on the sidelines of an aviation event. She said the NTSB team has been working diligently to provide assistance to India and "we have had excellent cooperation from the Indian government and the AAIB." India's decision to download and investigate data from the flight recorders comes nearly two weeks after the crash and has raised questions among aviation experts, some of whom described the delay as unusual. Air India Flight 171 was airborne for less than 40 seconds before it crashed into a crowded Ahmedabad neighbourhood, killing all but one of the 242 passengers on board, in one of India's most puzzling air disasters in recent memory. The London-bound Boeing 787, piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and co-pilot Clive Kundar, took off at 13:39 local time, but issued a mayday call moments later - its final transmission. — BBC
Hans India
a day ago
- General
- Hans India
Air India Black Box Data Retrieved In Deadly Ahmedabad Crash Investigation
Indian aviation investigators have successfully extracted crucial flight recorder data from the Air India crash that claimed 260 lives earlier this month, marking a significant milestone in determining the cause of the decade's deadliest aviation disaster, India's civil aviation ministry announced Thursday. The tragic incident occurred on June 12 when a London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed shortly after departing from Ahmedabad, resulting in the deaths of 241 passengers and crew aboard the aircraft, along with additional fatalities on the ground. The catastrophic accident has prompted an intensive international investigation to understand the sequence of events that led to this devastating outcome. Recovery teams successfully retrieved both black box recorders in the days following the crash, with one cockpit voice recorder found on a building rooftop at the crash site on June 13, while the flight data recorder was located among the wreckage debris on June 16. These critical devices contain essential information about the aircraft's final moments and crew communications before impact. A joint investigation team comprising India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau and the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board accessed the flight recorder data on Wednesday, representing a crucial breakthrough in the ongoing probe. The ministry emphasized that these analytical efforts aim to reconstruct the complete sequence of events preceding the accident while identifying contributing factors to improve aviation safety protocols and prevent similar future incidents. U.S. National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy expressed optimism about the investigation's progress during an aviation industry event, praising the excellent cooperation between American and Indian authorities. She emphasized the importance of making investigation findings public promptly to enhance aviation safety awareness and prevent future tragedies, noting that her team has been working diligently to provide comprehensive assistance to Indian investigators. The investigation has revealed that the aircraft began losing altitude after reaching just 650 feet, with preliminary focus centering on potential engine thrust issues according to sources familiar with the matter. Reports suggest that investigators believe the Dreamliner's emergency power generator was operational during the crash sequence, potentially providing important clues about the aircraft's final moments. Boeing 787 aircraft are equipped with two General Electric recorders positioned at the front and rear of the aircraft, both capturing identical flight data sets. General Electric, which manufactured both the aircraft engines and the enhanced airborne flight recorder system, has dispatched technical experts to India to assist with the investigation process. The forward recorder features an independent power supply designed to provide backup power for approximately ten minutes if the aircraft's primary power source fails, according to previous NTSB documentation. This backup capability could prove essential in understanding the aircraft's final operational status during the emergency sequence. Aviation safety experts have noted that the decision to begin downloading recorder data approximately two weeks after the crash was unusually delayed compared to typical investigation timelines. Industry professionals typically expect preliminary updates on recorder status and initial data extraction to occur more rapidly in such high-profile incidents, particularly given the international attention surrounding this tragedy. The delay prompted speculation about potentially sending the black boxes to the United States for specialized analysis, though Indian authorities maintained that decisions regarding analysis location remained under consideration. The extracted data is expected to provide critical insights into aircraft performance parameters and cockpit conversations that occurred immediately before the crash. Most aviation accidents result from multiple contributing factors rather than single causes, making comprehensive analysis of all available data essential for determining the complete chain of events. Investigators typically release preliminary findings approximately 30 days after an accident, though complex cases may require extended analysis periods. Indian officials have maintained that all investigative actions have been conducted in full compliance with domestic regulations and international aviation safety obligations within appropriate timeframes. The collaborative approach with U.S. investigators demonstrates the commitment to thorough analysis using global expertise and resources to ensure comprehensive understanding of this tragic incident.
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- General
- The Advertiser
India downloads black box data from fatal crash
Investigators have downloaded flight recorder data from an Air India crash this month that killed 260 people, India's civil aviation ministry says, a long-awaited step towards understanding the world's worst aviation disaster in a decade. The London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed moments after take-off from India's Ahmedabad city on June 12, killing 241 of the 242 people on board and the rest on the ground. The black boxes of the plane - the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR) - were recovered in the days that followed, one from the rooftop of a building at the crash site on June 13, and the other from the debris on June 16. The ministry said data from the front recorder was accessed on Wednesday by a team led by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), with the US National Transportation Safety Board. "These efforts aim to reconstruct the sequence of events leading to the accident and identify contributing factors to enhance aviation safety and prevent future occurrences," the ministry said in a statement. US National Transportation Safety Board chair Jennifer Homendy told Reuters said Thursday she hopes the Indian government will be able to share details from the investigation into the crash in short order. "For aviation safety and for public safety and public awareness we hope that they will make their findings public swiftly," Homendy said on the sidelines of an aviation event. She said the NTSB team has been working diligently to provide assistance to India and "we have had excellent cooperation from the Indian government and the AAIB." The probe into the crash of the Air India plane, which started losing height after reaching an altitude of 650 feet, includes a focus on engine thrust, according to a source with knowledge of the matter. The Wall Street Journal has reported that investigators believe the Dreamliner had its emergency-power generator operating when it crashed. Most air crashes are caused by multiple factors, with a preliminary report expected about 30 days after the accident. Meanwhile, India has denied entry to a UN investigator after the UN aviation agency took the unusual step of offering one up. Previously, the International Civil Aviation Organization has deployed investigators to help with certain probes, such as the downing of a Malaysian plane in 2014 and a Ukrainian jetliner in 2020, but those times the agency had been asked for assistance. ICAO had asked for the investigator who was in India to be given observer status, but Indian authorities refused the offer, the sources said. The news was first reported on Thursday by the Indian news channel Times Now. India said last week that it was yet to decide where the black boxes would be analysed. The data retrieved from them could provide critical clues into the aircraft's performance and any conversations between the pilots preceding the crash. India has said its actions have been taken in full compliance with domestic laws and international obligations in a time bound manner. Investigators have downloaded flight recorder data from an Air India crash this month that killed 260 people, India's civil aviation ministry says, a long-awaited step towards understanding the world's worst aviation disaster in a decade. The London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed moments after take-off from India's Ahmedabad city on June 12, killing 241 of the 242 people on board and the rest on the ground. The black boxes of the plane - the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR) - were recovered in the days that followed, one from the rooftop of a building at the crash site on June 13, and the other from the debris on June 16. The ministry said data from the front recorder was accessed on Wednesday by a team led by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), with the US National Transportation Safety Board. "These efforts aim to reconstruct the sequence of events leading to the accident and identify contributing factors to enhance aviation safety and prevent future occurrences," the ministry said in a statement. US National Transportation Safety Board chair Jennifer Homendy told Reuters said Thursday she hopes the Indian government will be able to share details from the investigation into the crash in short order. "For aviation safety and for public safety and public awareness we hope that they will make their findings public swiftly," Homendy said on the sidelines of an aviation event. She said the NTSB team has been working diligently to provide assistance to India and "we have had excellent cooperation from the Indian government and the AAIB." The probe into the crash of the Air India plane, which started losing height after reaching an altitude of 650 feet, includes a focus on engine thrust, according to a source with knowledge of the matter. The Wall Street Journal has reported that investigators believe the Dreamliner had its emergency-power generator operating when it crashed. Most air crashes are caused by multiple factors, with a preliminary report expected about 30 days after the accident. Meanwhile, India has denied entry to a UN investigator after the UN aviation agency took the unusual step of offering one up. Previously, the International Civil Aviation Organization has deployed investigators to help with certain probes, such as the downing of a Malaysian plane in 2014 and a Ukrainian jetliner in 2020, but those times the agency had been asked for assistance. ICAO had asked for the investigator who was in India to be given observer status, but Indian authorities refused the offer, the sources said. The news was first reported on Thursday by the Indian news channel Times Now. India said last week that it was yet to decide where the black boxes would be analysed. The data retrieved from them could provide critical clues into the aircraft's performance and any conversations between the pilots preceding the crash. India has said its actions have been taken in full compliance with domestic laws and international obligations in a time bound manner. Investigators have downloaded flight recorder data from an Air India crash this month that killed 260 people, India's civil aviation ministry says, a long-awaited step towards understanding the world's worst aviation disaster in a decade. The London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed moments after take-off from India's Ahmedabad city on June 12, killing 241 of the 242 people on board and the rest on the ground. The black boxes of the plane - the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR) - were recovered in the days that followed, one from the rooftop of a building at the crash site on June 13, and the other from the debris on June 16. The ministry said data from the front recorder was accessed on Wednesday by a team led by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), with the US National Transportation Safety Board. "These efforts aim to reconstruct the sequence of events leading to the accident and identify contributing factors to enhance aviation safety and prevent future occurrences," the ministry said in a statement. US National Transportation Safety Board chair Jennifer Homendy told Reuters said Thursday she hopes the Indian government will be able to share details from the investigation into the crash in short order. "For aviation safety and for public safety and public awareness we hope that they will make their findings public swiftly," Homendy said on the sidelines of an aviation event. She said the NTSB team has been working diligently to provide assistance to India and "we have had excellent cooperation from the Indian government and the AAIB." The probe into the crash of the Air India plane, which started losing height after reaching an altitude of 650 feet, includes a focus on engine thrust, according to a source with knowledge of the matter. The Wall Street Journal has reported that investigators believe the Dreamliner had its emergency-power generator operating when it crashed. Most air crashes are caused by multiple factors, with a preliminary report expected about 30 days after the accident. Meanwhile, India has denied entry to a UN investigator after the UN aviation agency took the unusual step of offering one up. Previously, the International Civil Aviation Organization has deployed investigators to help with certain probes, such as the downing of a Malaysian plane in 2014 and a Ukrainian jetliner in 2020, but those times the agency had been asked for assistance. ICAO had asked for the investigator who was in India to be given observer status, but Indian authorities refused the offer, the sources said. The news was first reported on Thursday by the Indian news channel Times Now. India said last week that it was yet to decide where the black boxes would be analysed. The data retrieved from them could provide critical clues into the aircraft's performance and any conversations between the pilots preceding the crash. India has said its actions have been taken in full compliance with domestic laws and international obligations in a time bound manner. Investigators have downloaded flight recorder data from an Air India crash this month that killed 260 people, India's civil aviation ministry says, a long-awaited step towards understanding the world's worst aviation disaster in a decade. The London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed moments after take-off from India's Ahmedabad city on June 12, killing 241 of the 242 people on board and the rest on the ground. The black boxes of the plane - the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR) - were recovered in the days that followed, one from the rooftop of a building at the crash site on June 13, and the other from the debris on June 16. The ministry said data from the front recorder was accessed on Wednesday by a team led by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), with the US National Transportation Safety Board. "These efforts aim to reconstruct the sequence of events leading to the accident and identify contributing factors to enhance aviation safety and prevent future occurrences," the ministry said in a statement. US National Transportation Safety Board chair Jennifer Homendy told Reuters said Thursday she hopes the Indian government will be able to share details from the investigation into the crash in short order. "For aviation safety and for public safety and public awareness we hope that they will make their findings public swiftly," Homendy said on the sidelines of an aviation event. She said the NTSB team has been working diligently to provide assistance to India and "we have had excellent cooperation from the Indian government and the AAIB." The probe into the crash of the Air India plane, which started losing height after reaching an altitude of 650 feet, includes a focus on engine thrust, according to a source with knowledge of the matter. The Wall Street Journal has reported that investigators believe the Dreamliner had its emergency-power generator operating when it crashed. Most air crashes are caused by multiple factors, with a preliminary report expected about 30 days after the accident. Meanwhile, India has denied entry to a UN investigator after the UN aviation agency took the unusual step of offering one up. Previously, the International Civil Aviation Organization has deployed investigators to help with certain probes, such as the downing of a Malaysian plane in 2014 and a Ukrainian jetliner in 2020, but those times the agency had been asked for assistance. ICAO had asked for the investigator who was in India to be given observer status, but Indian authorities refused the offer, the sources said. The news was first reported on Thursday by the Indian news channel Times Now. India said last week that it was yet to decide where the black boxes would be analysed. The data retrieved from them could provide critical clues into the aircraft's performance and any conversations between the pilots preceding the crash. India has said its actions have been taken in full compliance with domestic laws and international obligations in a time bound manner.
Deccan Herald
2 days ago
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
Air India crash: India reportedly denies entry to UN aviation investigator; US official hopes findings shared quickly
Washington: India would not allow a UN investigator to join a probe of a crashed Air India jet that some safety experts had criticised for delays in analysis of crucial black box data, two senior sources familiar with the matter told this week, the United Nations aviation agency took the unusual step of offering India one of its investigators to provide assistance following the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crash killing 260 people in Ahmedabad on June the International Civil Aviation Organization has deployed investigators to help with certain probes, such as the downing of a Malaysian plane in 2014 and a Ukrainian jetliner in 2020, but those times the agency had been asked for had asked for the investigator who was in India to be given observer status, but Indian authorities refused the offer, the sources said. The news was first reported on Thursday by the Indian news channel Times Now..'Bloody terrified': Flying anxiety peaks after fatal Air India Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), which is leading the probe into the world's deadliest aviation accident in a decade, did not return a request for comment. ICAO was not immediately available for civil aviation ministry said on Thursday that investigators downloaded flight recorder data around two weeks after the safety experts had questioned a lack of information about the probe, including the status of the combined black box unit recovered on June 13, along with a second set that was found on June were also raised on whether the recorders would be read in India or in the U.S. since the National Transportation Safety Board is participating in the investigation. The Indian government held only one press conference on the incident, and no questions were international rules known throughout the industry by their legal name "Annex 13," the decision of where to read flight recorders should be made immediately in case the evidence obtained could avert future this week, an Indian aviation ministry official who declined to be named said the department has been "following all the ICAO protocols." The official added that media representatives have made updates on important air crashes are caused by multiple factors, with a preliminary report expected about 30 days after the accident. .The head of the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board said Thursday she hopes the Indian government will be able to share details from the investigation into the Air India crash this month that killed 260 people in short civil aviation ministry said on Thursday that investigators have downloaded flight recorder data from the crash with assistance from the NTSB. "For aviation safety and for public safety and public awareness we hope that they will make their findings public swiftly," U.S. Transportation Safety Board chair Jennifer Homendy told Reuters.
