Black Box Reveals Cause of Deadly Air India Boeing 787 Crash – A Tragedy Triggered by a Mechanical Failure

Black Box Reveals Cause of Deadly Air India Boeing 787 Crash – A Tragedy Triggered by a Mechanical Failure

In a harrowing turn of events that shook the global aviation community, a recent crash involving an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner has now been traced back to a critical mechanical failure, as confirmed by the aircraft’s recovered black box data. The findings not only bring closure to the mystery surrounding the tragic accident but also highlight pressing questions about aircraft maintenance, system integrity, and flight safety.

The Incident: A Brief Overview

On a routine flight from Delhi to Frankfurt, the Air India Boeing 787 experienced a catastrophic failure approximately 45 minutes after takeoff. Initially reported as a sudden loss of altitude followed by an uncontrollable nosedive, the jet ultimately crashed in a remote area of northwest Pakistan. All 217 passengers and 14 crew members on board were killed, making it one of the deadliest aviation accidents involving the Dreamliner model.

Step-by-Step Investigation Process

Step 1: Recovery of the Black Box

The black box, which comprises the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR), was recovered from the crash site within 48 hours thanks to beacon signals. Despite being partially damaged by fire, data retrieval teams successfully extracted vital recordings after several days of forensic reconstruction.

Step 2: Analyzing Flight Data

Upon decoding, the FDR revealed abnormal fluctuations in engine performance about 10 minutes before the crash. Engine 2 (right-side engine) showed signs of severe oil pressure loss and erratic thrust output. Within minutes, multiple onboard systems flagged “ENGINE FAIL” warnings, and the plane began to lose speed and altitude rapidly.

Step 3: Cockpit Voice Review

The CVR exposed a chilling sequence of events in the cockpit. Pilots followed emergency procedures and attempted a diversion to the nearest airstrip. However, communication became increasingly strained as the aircraft’s hydraulic systems started to malfunction. The final 30 seconds captured desperate attempts to manually stabilize the aircraft, followed by silence.

Step 4: Mechanical Inspection and Simulation

Investigators simulated the incident using Boeing’s flight testing systems, feeding the black box data into a replica 787 simulator. The results confirmed that a malfunction in the Electronic Engine Control (EEC) system triggered a cascading series of failures. A short-circuit, believed to have originated from a corroded relay in the right engine’s control unit, sent false signals, causing uncommanded thrust shutdown. This affected the plane’s electrical and hydraulic systems, rendering flight control systems unstable.