Ahmedabad, April 4 (NationPress) Relatives of the victims of the Air India Flight AI‑171 disaster have reached out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding the swift release of the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR) data as they seek to uncover the details surrounding the crash.

This plea stems from ongoing frustration regarding the sluggish pace of the investigation and insufficient communication from both authorities and Air India.

The families emphasized that access to the black box recordings is crucial for comprehending the truth behind the tragic event that led to the Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner crashing shortly after its departure from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA) in Ahmedabad on June 12 of last year.

The incident resulted in the loss of 241 lives on board and 19 on the ground, with only one passenger surviving.

“We are eager to uncover the truth regarding the cause of this crash and whether any technical issues were involved,” the letter asserts, suggesting that if the data cannot be made public, it should at least be shared with the affected families.

The letter is in the process of being sent to the Prime Minister.

Additionally, copies are being sent to Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Union Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu, Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) Director General G.V.G. Yugandhar, and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Director General Faiz Ahmed Kidwai.

This letter follows a meeting held on Saturday, attended by approximately 25 family members in person and over 30 online, where attendees expressed their concerns regarding the investigation and the support—or lack thereof—from Air India and the Tata Group.

Participants reported difficulties in communication, with phone calls often going unanswered and interactions primarily restricted to email, a method not accessible to everyone.

“Many individuals in rural areas are unfamiliar with email usage,” one family member pointed out, advocating for a dedicated contact line or improved support systems.

The relatives also raised inquiries about when they would receive their loved ones' digital belongings and stressed the need for respectful and direct communication from authorities.

Following the meeting, one family member remarked that releasing the black box data is essential for grasping “the truth and circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.”

The formal investigation into the crash is being conducted by the AAIB, adhering to internationally recognized protocols.

Both the CVR and FDR were retrieved from the wreckage shortly after the incident and sent to a laboratory in New Delhi for in-depth analysis.

An initial phase of data extraction concluded by late June, with technical specialists examining cockpit data and flight parameters to reconstruct the final moments before the tragedy.

A preliminary report issued in July last year indicated that both engines lost thrust shortly after takeoff when the fuel control switches were switched from the “RUN” to the “CUTOFF” position mere seconds after liftoff, resulting in a total power failure.

The report did not determine a specific cause for the movement of the fuel control switches, as investigators continue to assess all available evidence.

Authorities have assured that a thorough investigation is being carried out impartially.