Air India Crash: Draft Final Investigation Report Expected by October, Says AAIB
Air India Crash
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has informed the Supreme Court that it expects to complete the investigation into the Air India Flight AI171 crash within the next six weeks. According to an affidavit filed before the court, a draft final investigation report is likely to be ready by October 2026.
The update comes more than a year after the tragic crash of an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which took place shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025. The accident claimed the lives of 260 people, making it one of the deadliest aviation disasters in India’s recent history.
The AAIB submitted the affidavit ahead of a Supreme Court hearing scheduled for July 17, where a group of petitions seeking an independent investigation into the crash will be considered.
According to the affidavit filed by the Director General of the AAIB, investigators have carefully reviewed the progress of the inquiry and assessed the time required to complete the remaining work. The bureau stated that, considering the nature, scale, and complexity of the accident, it expects the investigation to be completed within approximately six weeks, provided that all pending external requirements are resolved on time.
The AAIB explained that aviation accident investigations involve detailed technical analysis and cooperation with several national and international agencies. Investigators examine aircraft systems, maintenance records, flight data, weather conditions, operational procedures, and many other technical aspects before reaching any conclusions about the cause of an accident.
The bureau also highlighted an important legal point regarding the investigation. In its affidavit, the AAIB stated that there is an absolute statutory prohibition on the public disclosure of cockpit voice recordings (CVR) and airborne image recordings collected during the investigation.
Cockpit voice recorders capture conversations between pilots as well as important cockpit sounds during a flight. These recordings are considered highly sensitive and are protected under aviation investigation rules. Officials explained that such recordings are used only for accident investigation purposes and are generally not released publicly to protect the integrity of the investigation and the privacy of those involved.
The Air India Flight AI171 crash occurred only moments after the aircraft departed from Ahmedabad Airport. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner was unable to continue its climb and crashed shortly after take-off, resulting in the loss of 260 lives. The accident shocked the aviation industry and led to an extensive investigation by Indian authorities.
Since the crash, the AAIB has been conducting a detailed technical investigation with assistance from aviation experts and other agencies. Investigators have been analysing flight recorders, aircraft components, maintenance history, operational procedures, and other evidence to determine the exact sequence of events that led to the accident.
The petitions before the Supreme Court seek an independent investigation into the crash. The court is expected to review the AAIB’s progress report along with the arguments presented by the petitioners during the hearing.
Aviation experts note that major aircraft accident investigations often take many months or even years to complete because every possible factor must be carefully examined before a final report is released. International aviation standards require investigators to ensure that findings are based on verified evidence rather than assumptions.
Once completed, the AAIB’s final report is expected to include the probable cause of the accident, the sequence of events, contributing factors, and recommendations aimed at improving aviation safety and preventing similar accidents in the future.
The bureau has assured the Supreme Court that it is working to complete the investigation as quickly as possible while maintaining the highest standards of technical accuracy. If the current timeline is met, the draft final report will be ready by October 2026, providing important insights into one of India’s most significant aviation accidents.
Ajeet Yadav is an aviation enthusiast covering airline news, airports, aircraft, and industry developments through well-researched and reliable reporting.
