When Will the Air India Plane Crash Probe End? AAIB Says Ahmedabad Crash Investigation May Finish in 6 Weeks, Draft Report by October 2026
The investigation into the Air India Ahmedabad plane crash is likely to reach a crucial stage within the next six weeks, with the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) informing the Supreme Court that a draft final report is expected to be prepared by October 2026.
In an affidavit filed before the apex court, the AAIB said the investigation timeline has been determined after considering the accident's scale, severity and technical complexity. The bureau added that if coordination with all concerned agencies proceeds as planned, the probe will be completed within the proposed timeframe before the draft report is finalised.
The investigation agency also clarified that it is following every procedure laid down under the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2025, stating that all mandatory stages of the inquiry are being carried out in accordance with Indian law and international aviation standards.
The AAIB further informed the court that cockpit voice recorder (CVR) audio, onboard images and other recordings from the June 12, 2025 Ahmedabad crash cannot be made public, citing a legal prohibition on their disclosure. According to the bureau, releasing such material would violate the provisions of Rule 17 of the Aircraft Investigation Rules, 2025.
Explaining its position, the AAIB said the confidentiality rules are intended to protect the integrity of accident investigations, encourage witnesses to provide truthful statements without external pressure and ensure that investigators can conduct an impartial inquiry. It added that these safeguards also help India fulfil its obligations under international civil aviation norms.
The affidavit emphasised that the Ahmedabad crash investigation is not merely a domestic exercise but an internationally governed process conducted under the Chicago Convention and ICAO Annex 13, which allows participation by countries linked to the aircraft's registration, operation, design and manufacture.
The bureau also reiterated that the purpose of an aircraft accident investigation is to identify safety lessons and prevent similar incidents in the future. It stressed that such investigations are not meant to determine criminal liability or assign blame, but to strengthen aviation safety standards through technical findings.
