Explained: What Is Black Box, A Critical Component Of Flight Investigation?

Ahmedabad Plane Crash: In the aftermath of the tragic Air India flight AI-171 crash in Ahmedabad, investigators swiftly began searching for the aircraft’s ‘Black Box’ – a crucial device that holds answers to what went wrong.

The flight had taken off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport but crashed into BJ Medical College moments later on Thursday afternoon, claiming 241 lives out of the 242 onboard.

Among the deceased was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. The sole survivor of the crash was Ramesh Vishwas Kumar.

The Black Box, later found on the rooftop of the crash site, is now at the centre of the investigation.

What is Black Box?

Flight data recorders, commonly known as the ‘Black Box’, are two critical devices installed on an aircraft. It has two parts Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR).

FDR: This device records important flight parameters like speed, altitude, engine performance, heading, and flight control movements.

CDR: This records audio from the cockpit, including conversations between pilots, alarms, and ambient sounds.

Black Box has a bright orange colour instead of black so that it can easily be found in case of an accident. It can send signals for 30 days even when submerged in water

If a recorder is found in water, it is kept in deionised water to protect it from rust until it reaches the lab.

Black Box was invented by Australian scientist David Ronald de Mey Warren. He developed the device in 1954 while working as a jet fuel expert.

Examination process

When flight recorders reach the lab, experts first check their condition to see if the data can be extracted. If the recorder is intact, the data is usually downloaded easily, but if it is damaged, more effort is required.

The most important part is the Crash Survivable Memory Unit (CSMU), which contains important flight data.

If necessary, experts shift the data chips to a special device called the ‘Golden Chassis’. It is designed to store and download data safely.

The flight data recorder contains hundreds of parameters that are examined to understand what happened before the accident.

CVR: the most critical part of the investigation

Its main purpose is to find out whether the accident was recorded or not and what information can be obtained from it. It is worth noting that the recording of the CVR is legally protected.

The flight data recorder contains hundreds of information related to the aircraft’s systems, which helps the investigators to understand what happened before the accident.

At the same time, the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) records the pilot’s conversation and other important sounds.