Ministry of Civil Aviation: Cockpit voice recorder of Air India Express aircraft VT-AXV recovered
23-May-2010 The DGCA Investigation team arrived in Mangalore on Saturday i.e. the 22nd of May 2010 and started investigation work immediately for the investigation of accident to Air India Express aircraft VT-AXV at Mangalore on 22nd May 2010.
Inspection of runway and adjoining area was carried out at the accident site. The team oversaw the rescue operations and coordinated with various agencies.
The team initiated the wreckage inspection on the site this morning starting at 6.00 am. Four groups were formed:
1) Engineering and wreckage group
2) Operations group
3) Air Traffic Control Group
4) Aerodrome group
The wreckage group also made 2-3 sub teams to search for various evidence. After extensive search, following is the status of investigation
· CVR (Cockpit Voice Recorder) recovered- though affected by fire it is expected to yield the desired information.
· DFDAU (Digital Flight Data Acquisition Unit) which is a parallel unit of the DFDR (Digital Flight Data Recorder) and records flight parameter but for shorter duration has been recovered.
· Search for DFDR continues.
· Preliminary replay of Air Traffic control tapes has been carried out and detailed analysis is being carried out.
· Preliminary investigation of Navigational, Aerodrome and runway facilities existing at the time of accident has been completed.
· Necessary records pertaining to Airplane and Air crew such as Engineering, Operations, Training, Air Traffic control, Fire Fighting and allied services have been taken over for detailed analysis.
· Further investigation is in progress.
Analysis of CVR and Flight data will take about a fortnight. Similarly, analysis of records which are taken over will take a couple of weeks.
Shri Bir Singh Rai, Director Air Safety- DGCA has been appointed as an Inspector of Accidents, who will be assisted by experts.