260 Lives Lost, But What Really Happened? AI-171 Crash Report May Finally Reveal Answers

More than a year after the devastating Air India Flight AI-171 crash in Ahmedabad that claimed 260 lives , the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has informed the Supreme Court that the draft final investigation report is expected to be ready by October 2026 , marking a significant milestone in one of India's most closely watched aviation disaster probes.

In a detailed affidavit submitted before the apex court, the AAIB said the investigation is in its final stages and the remaining technical work is expected to conclude within the next six weeks, subject to the completion of pending external analyses. Once the scientific examination of evidence is completed, investigators will prepare the draft final report for review under internationally mandated procedures.

The bureau emphasised that the inquiry is not merely a domestic investigation , but one conducted under the Chicago Convention and ICAO Annex 13 , which require the participation of multiple countries linked to the aircraft, including the State of Registry, State of Operator, State of Design and State of Manufacture . These nations are entitled to nominate accredited representatives and provide technical inputs before the report is finalised.

The AAIB reiterated that the sole purpose of an aircraft accident investigation is to enhance aviation safety and prevent future accidents , and not to determine criminal or civil liability . It also defended its decision to keep crucial evidence confidential, stating that cockpit voice recorder recordings, witness statements, air traffic control communications, medical records and other protected material cannot be publicly disclosed while the investigation remains underway, as doing so could compromise both the current probe and future aviation safety investigations.

The affidavit was filed in response to petitions seeking a court-monitored investigation into the June 12, 2025 tragedy. Among the petitioners is 91-year-old Pushkaraj Sabharwal , father of late Captain Sumeet Sabharwal , who has sought a fair, transparent and technically robust inquiry. The Supreme Court had earlier observed that the pilot should not be blamed prematurely and urged his father not to carry that burden before the investigation reaches its conclusion.

The ill-fated Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner , operating from Ahmedabad to London , crashed within minutes of take-off after striking the hostel complex of BJ Medical College , less than a nautical mile from the runway. The disaster killed 229 passengers, 12 crew members and 19 people on the ground , making it one of India's deadliest aviation tragedies.

With the investigation entering its final analytical phase, the aviation industry, victims' families and regulators across the world will closely watch the findings, which are expected to shape future safety recommendations and strengthen commercial aviation safety standards.