Jewar (Uttar Pradesh): The investigation into the Air India AI-171 crash is in its final stages and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is expected to submit its final report soon while strictly adhering to international investigation protocols, civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu said on Monday.
The Gatwick-bound flight crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on June 12, 2025, killing 260 people, including 229 passengers, 12 crew members and 19 people on the ground.
“We are all waiting… AAIB doesn’t want to unnecessarily speed up any process. They want to follow the protocol very strictly. This is an international protocol, so they can’t miss any step…,” the minister said.
“They have to focus on the investigation very thoroughly… So they are taking the due time. But because it is in the last leg, that is why they issued the statement. They might complete the investigation and present us with the final report very soon,” he added.
On Friday, the first anniversary of the crash, AAIB had issued a statement, saying significant progress has been made in the examination and analysis of aircraft systems, flight recorder data and engine-related components. The evidence gathered and results of examinations are being analysed in a comprehensive and integrated manner, the bureau added.
It said that over the past year, the investigation team has undertaken an extensive and rigorous examination of all relevant technical, operational, organisational and human factors associated with the accident.
“This effort has been supported by accredited representatives, technical advisers and subject matter experts from relevant organisations. Significant progress has been made in the examination and analysis of aircraft systems, flight recorder data, engine-related components, maintenance and operational records, and other evidence relevant to the investigation,” the statement said.
“The evidence gathered and the results of various examinations, are currently being analysed in a comprehensive and integrated manner. Additional technical evaluations and specialist examinations, wherever considered necessary, will continue to be undertaken to ensure that all findings and conclusions are supported by verified evidence and sound scientific analysis,” it added.
It remains firmly committed to conducting a thorough, independent, objective and evidence-based investigation, the AAIB said.
“The Final Report will be released upon completion of all investigative activities and the requisite international review and consultation processes prescribed under ICAO Annex 13,” it said, urging people not to engage in speculation.
The bureau had revealed its preliminary findings a month after the crash and that had led to controversy. Some had called it a report in which the AAIB had pin-pointed the cause of the crash as pilot error. Both the bureau and the government had denied this.
