The Morning Brief AAIB’s Ex Chief on Air Crashes, Crack Teams and Challenges
Jun 24, 2025
Aurobindo Handa, former Director General of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau and Indian Air Force veteran, shares his insights into air crash investigations. He discusses the tragic Air India flight incident and the complexities of analyzing damaged black boxes. Handa highlights the challenges faced by India's investigation teams, including budget constraints and staffing shortages. He emphasizes the importance of meticulous data analysis and international cooperation in uncovering the truth behind air accidents. His experience sheds light on the critical need for effective oversight in aviation safety.
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Complexity of Data Extraction
- Extracting data from flight recorders is a complex, long process involving decrypting and converting data into readable engineering parameters.
- Investigators align numerous timed inputs down to hundredths of a second to create a precise timeline of events.
When to Involve Manufacturers
- If there's any doubt about damaging or losing data during recorder disassembly, it's prudent to send them to the manufacturer.
- This step ensures data integrity in complex investigations.
AAIB-NTSB Cooperation Explained
- NTSB and AAIB have parallel investigation roles, with AAIB leading and NTSB serving as technical observers if needed.
- International coordination follows strict protocols under Annex 13 and related manuals.