RAT, Mayday, CVR Explained: Key Aviation Terms from Air India Crash

Key Takeaways

• Air India Flight 171 crashed June 12, 2025, killing 241 on board and 29 on the ground; one survived.
• Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR) recovered; both vital for accident investigation.
• Investigation led by India’s AAIB with U.S. and UK support; Boeing under scrutiny for possible faults.

On June 12, 2025, tragedy struck when Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, India, on its way to London. The crash claimed the lives of 241 out of 242 people on board and at least 29 people on the ground. Only one passenger survived. This disaster has sent shockwaves through the aviation world, raising urgent questions about safety, emergency procedures, and the technical systems that are supposed to protect passengers and crew. As the investigation unfolds, several aviation terms—Mayday, CVR, and RAT—have become central to public discussions. Understanding these terms is important for anyone following the story, especially for families, travelers, and those concerned about air safety.

What Happened: The Air India Crash at a Glance

The crash occurred just minutes after takeoff. According to officials, the last words from the cockpit were a distress call: “Thrust not achieved, falling, mayday.” This message, sent within two minutes of takeoff, signaled a life-threatening emergency. Both the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR)—often called “black boxes”—were recovered from the wreckage. One was damaged but is expected to yield useful information. Investigators from India 🇮🇳, the United States 🇺🇸, and the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 are working together to find out what went wrong.

The crash has led to immediate safety checks on all Air India Boeing 787s, though the fleet has not been grounded. Air India has also retired the AI171 flight number out of respect for the victims, now using AI159/AI160 for the route. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India is leading the investigation, with support from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), and Boeing.

Breaking Down Key Aviation Terms

Mayday: The Universal Distress Call

Mayday is the international word used by pilots and sailors to signal a life-threatening emergency. When a pilot says “Mayday” three times, it tells everyone listening that the situation is very serious and needs immediate help. The word comes from the French “m’aidez,” which means “help me.” In the Air India crash, the pilots sent a Mayday call just before the plane went down, making it clear that they were facing a critical emergency—specifically, a loss of thrust and the inability to keep the plane in the air.

Why is Mayday important?
– It gets top priority over all other radio messages.
– Air traffic controllers and rescue teams know to respond right away.
– It is only used for the most serious emergencies, like engine failure, fire, or loss of control.

CVR: Cockpit Voice Recorder

The Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) is one of the two “black boxes” found on every commercial airplane. Despite the name, black boxes are actually bright orange to make them easier to find after a crash. The CVR records everything that happens in the cockpit, including:
– Pilot and co-pilot conversations
– Alarms and warning sounds
– Any background noises, like switches being flipped or engines making strange sounds

The CVR usually keeps the last two hours of cockpit audio. In this crash, the CVR will help investigators understand what the pilots were saying and hearing in the moments before the accident. This can reveal if there was confusion, panic, or technical problems.

How does the CVR help?
– It gives a timeline of what happened in the cockpit.
– It can show if the crew followed emergency procedures.
– It helps experts understand if human error, technical failure, or something else caused the crash.

FDR: Flight Data Recorder

The Flight Data Recorder (FDR) is the other black box. It records hundreds of technical details about the flight, such as:
– Speed and altitude
– Engine power and thrust
– Flap and landing gear positions
– Movements of the plane’s controls

The FDR usually stores data for the last 25 hours of flight. In this case, the FDR will help investigators see exactly what the plane was doing, how the engines were working, and if any systems failed. This information, combined with the CVR, gives a full picture of the flight’s final moments.

RAT: Ram Air Turbine

The Ram Air Turbine (RAT) is a small, fold-out turbine that acts as a backup power source. If a plane loses all its main and backup power, the RAT drops out from the plane and uses the air rushing past to spin and make electricity or hydraulic power. This keeps basic controls and instruments working, even in a total power failure.

Why is the RAT important?
– It is a last-resort system to help pilots control the plane.
– It can power key instruments and controls if all engines stop working.
– Investigators will check if the RAT deployed during the Air India crash, as this could show the plane lost all power.

The Investigation: What Happens Next?

After a crash, there is a clear process that investigators follow:

1. Immediate Response: Emergency teams rush to the scene, help any survivors, and secure the area.
2. Black Box Recovery: Teams search for and recover the CVR and FDR. These are crucial for finding out what happened.
3. Initial Data Analysis: Experts quickly check the black boxes for basic information about the crash.
4. Comprehensive Investigation: Teams from different countries and agencies work together. They look at maintenance records, talk to air traffic controllers, and check airport cameras.
5. Preliminary Report: Within about a month, investigators release an initial report with early findings.
6. Final Report: A full, detailed report comes out, usually within a year. This includes recommendations to prevent future crashes.
7. Policy and Safety Recommendations: Based on the findings, authorities may require airlines to change how they maintain planes, train crews, or handle emergencies.

Who Is Involved?

• Indian Authorities: The AAIB is leading the investigation, with help from anti-terror squads and other agencies.
• U.S. and UK Investigators: The NTSB and UK AAIB are involved because the plane was made by Boeing (a U.S. company) and many passengers were British.
• Boeing: The manufacturer is under pressure to help find out if there was a design or technical problem.
• Air India: The airline is working with investigators and supporting the families of victims.
• Victims’ Families: Many families are waiting for answers and help with identifying loved ones. DNA profiling is being used for identification, and British consular staff are helping with repatriation.

Key Facts and Figures

• Casualties: 241 of 242 people on board died, along with at least 29 people on the ground.
• Aircraft: Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, a modern long-distance jet.
• Passenger Nationalities: 169 Indian, 53 British, 1 Canadian, 7 Portuguese.
• Fuel Load: The plane had about 125,000 liters of fuel at takeoff.

Policy Changes and Safety Checks

After the crash, Indian authorities ordered extra safety checks on all Air India Boeing 787s. However, they did not ground the entire fleet. The flight number AI171 was retired, and the route now uses AI159/AI160. The investigation is being led by the AAIB of India, with support from the U.S. and UK.

Impact on Stakeholders

Passengers and Families

For passengers and their families, the crash is a devastating loss. Many are waiting for answers about what happened and why. The use of DNA profiling shows how difficult it can be to identify victims in such disasters. Families are also dealing with the process of repatriation—bringing the bodies of loved ones home.

Air India

The airline faces serious questions about its safety procedures, maintenance, and crew training. There is also a loss of public trust, as people worry about flying on Air India or on Boeing 787s in general.

Boeing

This is the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 with passengers. Boeing is under intense scrutiny to see if there was a design flaw, maintenance issue, or software problem. The company is working closely with investigators and may face calls for changes to the aircraft or its systems.

Regulators and Investigators

Authorities must balance the need for a quick answer with the need for a thorough investigation. They are also under pressure to make sure something like this does not happen again.

International Cooperation

The crash shows how global aviation safety is. Planes are built in one country, flown by airlines from another, and carry people from all over the world. Investigations often involve experts from several countries, as in this case.

Aviation Safety: What’s at Stake?

The crash has led to calls for a full review of how Air India and other airlines maintain their planes, train their crews, and handle emergencies. Some experts say the crash may have been caused by engine failure, problems with the flaps (the moving parts on the wings), or a software issue. However, the final answer will only come after the black boxes are fully analyzed.

Passenger confidence has taken a hit. Many people are now worried about flying on Air India or on Boeing 787s. Airlines and manufacturers must work hard to restore trust by being open about what happened and making any needed changes.

Historical Context

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner had a strong safety record before this crash. No previous fatal accidents involving passengers had occurred. The use of Mayday calls and black boxes has been standard in aviation for decades, helping to improve safety and prevent future accidents.

What to Expect Next

• Preliminary Report: Expected within a month, giving the first official explanation of what happened.
• Full Investigation: May take up to a year, with a detailed report and safety recommendations.
• Possible Safety Directives: Depending on what investigators find, airlines may be required to change how they maintain or operate Boeing 787s.
• Ongoing Monitoring: Air India and other airlines using the 787 will be closely watched by regulators.

Official Resources

For those seeking more information or updates, the India Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) provides official statements and reports. Families and the public can also find updates from the U.S. NTSB and UK AAIB.

Summary Table: Key Terms

Practical Guidance for Travelers

If you are worried about flying after hearing about the Air India crash, here are some steps you can take:
– Check Airline Safety Records: Look up the safety history of the airline and the aircraft type.
– Ask Questions: Don’t hesitate to ask airlines about their safety procedures and training.
– Stay Informed: Follow updates from official sources like the AAIB or NTSB.
– Know Emergency Procedures: Pay attention to safety briefings and know where the exits are on your flight.

Final Thoughts

The Air India crash has brought new attention to important aviation safety systems and emergency procedures. The terms Mayday, CVR, and RAT are not just technical jargon—they are key parts of how pilots and investigators work to keep flying safe. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the ongoing investigation and the recovery of the black boxes will be central to understanding what happened and preventing future tragedies. The world will be watching for the preliminary report and any changes that may follow, hoping that lessons learned will lead to safer skies for everyone.

For more official information and updates, visit the India Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).

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Learn Today

Mayday → International distress call indicating a severe emergency requiring immediate assistance from pilots or sailors.
Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) → Device recording cockpit sounds and conversations, aiding investigators in understanding accident events.
Flight Data Recorder (FDR) → Black box capturing detailed flight parameters like speed, altitude, and engine power over many hours.
Ram Air Turbine (RAT) → Emergency turbine generating power if main electrical and hydraulic systems fail during flight.
Black Box → Common term for CVR and FDR, bright orange devices providing critical data for crash investigations.

This Article in a Nutshell

On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight 171 crashed near Ahmedabad with 241 fatalities. Key terms like Mayday and black boxes highlight aviation safety challenges, while the international investigation seeks to uncover the cause and prevent future tragedies affecting Air India and Boeing 787 safety protocols.
— By VisaVerge.com