Investigators have recovered the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) from the crashed Air India flight, a key step in uncovering what caused last week's deadly accident.

Navin Chaudhary had just begun eating his meal when a loud bang startled him. He turned back to see a massive fire taking over the dining area where he and other trainee doctors had assembled for lunch.

The Air India flight fell from the sky on Thursday and killed at least 270 people in Gujarat state, officials said Saturday.

The devastating crash claimed the lives of 241 passengers on board and a further 38 people on the ground - and a commercial pilot now believes they have discovered the cause

Air India's Chairman N. Chandrasekaran on Monday told staff that last week's plane crash that killed at least 271 people should be a catalyst to build a safer airline, urging employees to stay resolute amid any criticism.

Vishwaskumar Ramesh, the only survivor of the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, India, said he "thought I would die" as he recovers in hospital.

The Air India crash that killed 241 passengers is among the deadliest plane crashes in recent history. Here's a look at the five deadliest plane crashes in history.

News of the sole survivor of an Air India plane crash that killed the other 241 people aboard has led to endless fascination online.

Tragedy struck this week when a plane crashed in the city of Ahmedabad just shortly after takeoff, leaving investigators and aviation officials with many questions.

Authorities and insurers have launched on-site camps and helpdesks at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital to ensure quick and compassionate settlement of insurance claims.