A new investigation report has revealed the shocking reason behind the recent Air India plane crash on June 12. The Air India flight AL171 was flying from Ahmedabad to London’s Gatwick but crashed just seconds after takeoff into a medical hostel building.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released a preliminary report that says both engines of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner lost power shortly after takeoff. The cause? The aircraft’s fuel control switches had been turned off, which cut the fuel supply to the engines.
The black box, which includes cockpit voice recordings and flight data, helped investigators find this crucial information. From the audio recording, one pilot was heard asking the other in the final moments:
“Why did you cut off the fuel?”
To which the other responded, “I did not do so.”
What Is a Black Box and How Does It Work?
A black box is actually two devices:
- Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) – captures sounds and conversations inside the cockpit.
- Flight Data Recorder (FDR) – records technical data like speed, altitude, and engine performance.
Even though it’s called a black box, it’s bright orange so it can be easily found after a crash. It’s usually placed in the tail section of the plane, which is the most likely part to survive an accident.
The History Behind the Black Box
- In the 1930s, French engineer Francois Hussenot invented a system to record flight details on photographic film.
- In the 1950s, Australian scientist David Warren designed the cockpit voice recorder to help understand what happens before crashes.
Why Are Black Boxes So Important?
These devices are built to survive crashes. They’re made with strong materials like titanium or stainless steel, have thermal insulation to resist fires, and shock-proof layers to protect the electronics.
Cockpit Voice Recorder:
Records pilot conversations, engine sounds, alarms, and clicks. These small sounds can tell experts a lot about what went wrong. It also captures communication between pilots and air traffic control.
Flight Data Recorder:
Tracks over 1,000 types of data like altitude, airspeed, and wing position. With this data, investigators can even create a computer video that shows the entire flight.
Why Is It Called a Black Box?
There are a few theories:
- One says the name came from Hussenot’s original device, which was kept in a “light-tight” box.
- Another theory is that the boxes turn black when burned in a crash.
- Despite being orange, the term black box is still used by the media because it adds a sense of mystery during investigations.
Thanks to the black box, investigators could find the cause of the Air India crash. It shows how important these devices are in helping us understand and prevent future aviation disasters.
