Aviation Expert Explains Why We Haven’t Seen Any Data from Air India Crash as Investigators Look into ‘Sabotage’ Theory
In the wake of the recent and tragic Air India crash, questions are mounting as to why no data from the flight has yet been released to the public. The lack of concrete information—especially from the flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR), commonly known as the “black boxes”—has sparked intense speculation, and some investigators are even beginning to entertain the possibility of sabotage. According to aviation experts, however, there are both technical and procedural reasons why this apparent silence may be more standard than suspicious—at least for now.
What We Know So Far
The Air India flight in question, operating a routine domestic route, tragically crashed shortly after takeoff last week, killing dozens and leaving several more critically injured. The aircraft—a Boeing 737 MAX—reportedly showed no signs of distress during takeoff, and air traffic control recorded no emergency call from the cockpit before contact was lost. Eyewitnesses claimed the plane made an unusual bank shortly after lifting off, followed by a sharp descent.
Officials confirmed that recovery teams had located the FDR and CVR within 48 hours of the crash, and both devices were transported to a government lab for analysis. However, days later, there has been no public release of data, audio, or preliminary findings.
Aviation Expert Weighs In
Speaking exclusively to reporters, veteran aviation safety analyst Captain Ramesh Pathak, who has over 30 years of experience in crash investigations, explained that the absence of early data disclosures is not unusual.
“In many high-profile crashes, especially when sabotage or foul play is suspected, authorities will delay public statements until they’ve verified and cross-referenced everything,” he said. “Jumping to conclusions or leaking partial data can cause misinformation, panic, or even compromise the investigation.”
According to Capt. Pathak, there are three main reasons for the delay:
-
Data Recovery is Not Always Immediate
-
International Protocols Demand Secrecy in Early Stages
-
Sabotage Theories Increase Security Measures
Let’s break these down.
1. Data Recovery is Not Always Immediate
Despite being designed to withstand extreme conditions, black boxes can suffer damage that delays their usefulness. In this case, investigators reported that the units were “externally intact” but did not confirm whether the internal memory had been compromised by heat, impact, or submersion in fuel or chemicals.
“Sometimes, even when you recover the box, you still need time to extract and decode the data. It’s not like plugging in a USB drive,” said Pathak. “Specialists need to make sure the data wasn’t corrupted, and they often perform forensic recovery procedures.”
In cases where memory chips are damaged, it can take days or even weeks to reconstruct a full timeline of the flight. Moreover, interpreting cockpit voice recordings, which often contain overlapping alarms, pilot voices, and background noise, requires careful audio analysis.
2. International Aviation Protocols and Legal Caution
India follows International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) guidelines, which prohibit premature public disclosure of investigation details. Releasing partial or unverified data can lead to political tensions, lawsuits, and misinformation in the media.
“Once a black box is opened, a transcript must be made, then cross-verified by both technical analysts and legal teams. If sabotage is suspected, national security agencies may also be involved. All of this slows down the process.”
If the crash potentially involves mechanical failure, international parties—like Boeing or the FAA—may also join the investigation. These cross-border collaborations can introduce additional layers of bureaucracy and confidentiality.
3. Sabotage Theory Raises Stakes
Initial speculation around the crash has been fueled by unusual flight behavior and the lack of distress signals. Several anonymous officials hinted that investigators are not ruling out sabotage, particularly given the sensitive cargo on board and the presence of a high-profile government scientist among the passengers.
Security agencies have reportedly seized the aircraft’s maintenance logs, surveillance footage from the airport, and communications between ground staff. Investigators are also looking into reports that a last-minute technician was seen near the aircraft’s undercarriage shortly before takeoff—an irregular activity without proper clearance.
“Whenever sabotage becomes a working theory, the entire investigation changes in scope,” said Pathak. “You’re not just looking at pilot error or mechanical fault—you’re potentially dealing with a criminal act. That demands silence, precision, and discretion.”
In previous cases—such as the sabotage of EgyptAir Flight 804 or the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17—early public statements were carefully controlled to avoid misinformation or premature blame.
Public Frustration and Conspiracy Theories
Despite the rational explanations, the lack of transparency is leading to rising public frustration. Social media is ablaze with amateur theories, many pointing fingers at government cover-ups, corporate negligence, or even geopolitical sabotage. Videos claiming to show “strange flashes” near the wing or shadowy figures near the hangar have gone viral, though most have been debunked.
Still, the silence from authorities has done little to quell the suspicion. Families of victims have also demanded more regular updates, with some accusing the airline of “stonewalling” them.
In response, India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a brief statement, saying:
“We understand the urgency for answers. We assure the public that all angles are being explored, including potential sabotage. However, we must prioritize factual accuracy and national security.”
Could Sabotage Be Proven?
Sabotage investigations often rely not just on flight data but also on security audits, witness testimonies, airport access logs, and chemical residue analysis. Any tampering with sensors, control surfaces, or engines would likely be detected during forensic analysis of the wreckage.
However, proving sabotage requires more than suspicion—it requires motive, opportunity, and evidence.
“If a device was planted, or a system tampered with, it will leave fingerprints—physical or digital. But finding them is like looking for a needle in a haystack,” Pathak emphasized.
What Happens Next?
According to ICAO protocols, a preliminary report is due within 30 days of the incident. This report typically includes basic facts, flight data summaries, and early analysis. If sabotage is confirmed, further reports may be handed off to law enforcement or counter-terrorism units, and may never be fully declassified.
Until then, experts urge the public to remain patient.
“The truth always comes out—eventually,” says Capt. Pathak. “But when human lives are involved, it’s worth taking the extra time to be absolutely sure.”
Final Thoughts
The Air India crash remains a devastating mystery, and while the silence from officials is frustrating, there are plausible explanations for the lack of data. With investigators now exploring sabotage, the stakes have clearly escalated, and every detail must be treated with care. Whether the cause proves to be mechanical, human, or malicious, the world will be watching—and waiting—for the full story to emerge
