Investigators probing the deadly Air India Flight AI171 crash have told India’s Supreme Court that a draft of the final investigation report is expected to be ready in October, marking the next major milestone in one of the country’s worst aviation disasters in decades. The agency said it is now in the final analytical stage of its inquiry after completing much of the technical investigation.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) said in a court filing that it expects to complete the remaining investigative work within approximately six weeks, provided there are no delays linked to external agencies involved in the inquiry. After that, investigators plan to prepare a draft final report, which is expected around October.
The affidavit was submitted in response to petitions seeking an independent or court-monitored investigation into the June 12, 2025, crash. The AAIB argued that its investigation is being conducted under India’s statutory aviation safety framework and in accordance with international civil aviation standards, making an alternative investigative mechanism unnecessary.
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Flight AI171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for London, crashed just seconds after taking off from Ahmedabad airport. The aircraft came down roughly 6 kilometers from the runway, striking a doctors’ residential building at a medical college before erupting into flames. The disaster claimed 260 lives, including 241 people aboard the aircraft and 19 people on the ground. Only one passenger survived the crash.
Investigators released a preliminary report about a month after the accident but did not identify a definitive cause. Since then, officials say they have made significant progress by examining flight data, cockpit voice recordings, operational procedures, technical evidence and human factors. According to recent court filings, the inquiry has also included interviews with flight crew colleagues, air traffic controllers, weather officials and other specialists. Some technical data from external partners is still being reviewed before investigators finalize their conclusions.
The AAIB emphasized that aircraft accident investigations are designed to improve aviation safety and prevent future accidents rather than determine criminal liability, assign blame or resolve compensation claims. It also reiterated that sensitive evidence, including cockpit voice recorder material, remains confidential under international aviation investigation rules.
Once the draft report is completed, it is expected to be shared with accredited international participants in the investigation for review before a final version is published, following established international procedures. Investigators have not disclosed any conclusions regarding the cause of the crash, and the inquiry remains ongoing.
