The draft final report on the June 2025 Air India AI-171 crash in Ahmedabad is expected by October, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has informed the Supreme Court. The probe, which killed 260 people, is in its final stages of analysis.
AAIB Confirms October Deadline for Crash Report
The AAIB, in an affidavit, stated that the investigation involves multiple agencies and international stakeholders, as the accident falls under global aviation rules. The Chicago Convention and ICAO Annex 13 guidelines govern such probes.
The agency added that pending technical and procedural requirements must be resolved before the final analysis is complete.
Cockpit Recordings Legally Restricted
The AAIB told the court that cockpit voice recordings and airborne image recordings cannot be shared or made public due to legal restrictions. Disclosure would violate the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2025.
Protected information, including witness statements and air traffic control communications, must remain confidential to preserve the investigation’s integrity. The AAIB emphasized that the probe aims to improve aviation safety, not assign liability.
International Framework Governs Investigation
The inquiry extends beyond domestic scope, as international aviation rules require participation from countries linked to the aircraft’s registration, operation, design, and manufacture.
The Air India flight AI-171, en route from Ahmedabad to London, crashed shortly after takeoff on June 12, 2025, killing 229 passengers, 12 crew members, and 19 people on the ground. The Supreme Court had previously stated that the late pilot, Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, should not be blamed for the crash.
The draft report’s submission follows a plea by Sabharwal’s father and the Federation of Indian Pilots for a court-monitored inquiry.
