Families of AI 171 crash victims seek Black box data, write to PM Modi

Nearly ten months after one of India’s deadliest aviation tragedies, families of victims of the Air India flight AI 171 crash have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding the release of the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (black box) data to uncover the cause of the disaster.

Around 30 bereaved families from across Gujarat gathered in Ahmedabad on Saturday and submitted a joint letter, also addressed to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. The families urged authorities to either make the findings public or share them privately if confidentiality concerns persist.

“We want to know the truth about what caused the crash and whether there was any technical problem,” the letter stated, reflecting the collective anguish and demand for transparency. On June 12, 2025, Air India flight AI 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner , bound for London, crashed shortly after take-off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. The aircraft plunged into a nearby medical college hostel complex and burst into flames.

The crash claimed 260 lives , including 241 of the 242 passengers and crew onboard and 19 people on the ground , making it one of the worst aviation disasters in recent Indian history. For many families, the passage of time has only deepened their grief. “My home feels completely empty now. No amount of compensation can fill this void. We don’t want money, we just want to know what happened,” said Nilesh Purohit, who lost his 24-year-old son in the crash.

Several relatives also raised concerns about the lack of institutional support and communication. Kinjal Patel from Vasad, who lost her mother, described difficulties navigating an Air India portal meant to help families recover belongings of victims. “There are over 25,000 items listed, but the images are unclear. It’s almost impossible to find anything,” she said.

Others highlighted accessibility issues. Romin Vora from Kheda, who lost three family members, pointed out that communication is largely limited to email, with responses taking up to 15 days. “Many people in villages don’t even know how to use email,” he said, also calling the public display of personal belongings insensitive.

The AAIB submitted its preliminary investigation report in July 2025. The final report is expected in June 2026 , around the first anniversary of the crash. As families continue to grapple with loss, their demand remains clear: answers over compensation, and transparency over silence .