Indian authorities investigating the June 12 Air India crash that claimed 260 lives have confirmed that both of the aircraft’s black boxes were intact and not damaged, contrary to earlier media reports. This was shared during a recent closed-door parliamentary panel on aviation, according to two individuals familiar with the discussion.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) told lawmakers that they were able to extract “good data” from the devices, which are crucial to understanding the events that led to the crash. The AAIB and India’s aviation ministry did not comment publicly.

AirIndia plane crashed in a residential area. The nearby buildings has caught fire. #planecrash pic.twitter.com/OU6IsXKxAE

— Mohit Chauhan (@mohitlaws) June 12, 2025

The black boxes—formally known as the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and the Flight Data Recorder (FDR)—were recovered separately in the days following the incident. One was found on a rooftop on June 13, and the other in the wreckage on June 16. Officials believe that the data retrieved from both devices will be central to their investigation.

A preliminary report based on the findings is expected to be made public by Friday, according to earlier updates. Investigators are currently analysing various aspects of the aircraft’s systems to determine the exact sequence of events.

One area under investigation is the aircraft’s fuel control switch operation and possible issues related to engine thrust. Earlier reports had already indicated that these systems could have played a role in the sudden and deadly crash of the London-bound Boeing Dreamliner.

Air India Crash | Credit: X

Air India has been under significant scrutiny following the incident. The airline’s CEO, Campbell Wilson, was summoned to appear before the parliamentary committee and has provided updates on the company’s internal response.

Separately, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has said it will investigate Air India’s low-cost arm, Air India Express.  This follows a Reuters report indicating that the carrier had delayed replacing engine parts on an Airbus A320, allegedly falsifying records to show compliance.

India’s aviation watchdog has also warned Air India after discovering that three Airbus aircraft were flown with overdue safety checks on emergency escape slides. These issues add to growing concerns over safety protocols and regulatory compliance within the airline.

With black box data in hand, investigators now move toward reconstructing the final moments of the flight and identifying critical failures.    

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