New Delhi: The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has informed the Supreme Court that the draft final report into the June 2025 Air India Flight AI 171 crash in Ahmedabad is expected to be ready by October 2026. The bureau said the investigation is in its final stages, with remaining technical work likely to be completed within the next six weeks before the analysis is finalised.
In an affidavit submitted to the court, the AAIB stated that cockpit voice recordings, airborne image recordings and other sensitive investigation material cannot be disclosed to any external committee or the public. It said such disclosure is prohibited under the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2025, and could compromise the integrity of the investigation.
The bureau explained that the inquiry is being conducted under international aviation standards laid down by the Chicago Convention and Annex 13 of the International Civil Aviation Organisation. As the accident involved an international flight, the investigation includes participation from countries connected to the aircraft’s registration, operation, design and manufacture through accredited representatives.
According to the AAIB, the primary purpose of the investigation is to improve aviation safety and prevent similar accidents in the future, rather than determine criminal or civil liability.
The bureau also emphasised that several categories of evidence, including witness statements, cockpit voice recorder data, air traffic control communications and medical records, are legally protected from public release while the investigation remains ongoing.
The Air India flight crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad for London on June 12, 2025, killing all 241 people on board except one survivor, along with 19 people on the ground, taking the total death toll to 260.
The matter is currently before the Supreme Court following petitions seeking a court monitored investigation. The petitioners have called for a transparent and technically comprehensive probe, arguing that identifying the exact cause of the crash is essential for strengthening aviation safety and preventing future tragedies.
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