The investigation into last year’s Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad has entered its final phase, with the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) informing the Supreme Court that the inquiry is expected to be completed within the next six weeks. The agency has indicated that, subject to the timely completion of technical and procedural formalities, a draft final investigation report is likely to be ready by October 2026.
In an affidavit submitted before the apex court, the AAIB said the inquiry is progressing according to the complexity and scale of the accident. It added that investigators are following every mandatory step prescribed under India’s aircraft accident investigation framework to ensure the findings are accurate and legally compliant.
The Bureau also made it clear that cockpit voice recorder (CVR) conversations, onboard audio files and visual recordings cannot be released to the public or any outside committee. According to the AAIB, Indian law places a strict legal restriction on the disclosure of such material during an ongoing aircraft accident investigation.
The affidavit states that these safeguards are intended to protect the independence of investigators, encourage witnesses to provide truthful statements without external pressure, and prevent any interference that could compromise the integrity of the investigation. The agency also said the confidentiality rules help India fulfil its obligations under international aviation standards.
Referring to the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2025, the AAIB maintained that releasing cockpit recordings would violate statutory provisions governing accident investigations. It stressed that aviation accident inquiries are designed to identify safety failures and recommend preventive measures rather than determine criminal or civil liability.
The Bureau further informed the court that the Ahmedabad crash investigation is not merely a domestic exercise. Since the aircraft operated on an international route, the inquiry is being conducted under the framework of the Chicago Convention and the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Annex 13 guidelines. These rules require participation from countries linked to the aircraft, including the State of Registry, the State of the Operator, the State of Design and the State of Manufacture, through accredited representatives and technical experts.
According to the AAIB, the internationally recognised investigation process is focused solely on improving aviation safety and preventing similar accidents in the future. The agency reiterated that the purpose of the inquiry is not to assign blame but to establish the technical causes of the crash and recommend measures that strengthen air safety.
