Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu on Friday, 8 May said the investigation into the crash of Air India Flight AI 171 — which claimed 260 lives in Ahmedabad — is in its final stages and is likely to be completed within a month. Naidu made the remarks on the sidelines of the second edition of the Aircraft Leasing and Financing Summit held at GIFT City in Gandhinagar.

Investigation Status

The minister confirmed that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is conducting the probe independently, with the ministry providing logistical and resource support without interfering in the process. "The crash investigation is in the final stage and could even be completed in a month. However, the investigation is being done by the AAIB and we don't interfere in it. We are giving them all the resources they need," Naidu said.

The AAIB had submitted its preliminary investigation findings to the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation on 12 July 2025. The final report, once released, will be open to international scrutiny given that the flight carried foreign nationals.

Transparency Under International Spotlight

Naidu stressed that the final report must meet the highest standards of transparency, noting that it would be subject to global review. "There were international passengers on the flight. Anyone can question the report, and it will be up for scrutiny, so this report must be done with transparency. Our effort is that the report is completed as soon as possible, but because of that, we cannot interrupt the process," he said.

This is a significant consideration: international aviation investigations — particularly those involving foreign nationals — are routinely reviewed by agencies such as the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) and the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which had deputed representatives given the flight's destination of London Gatwick and the Boeing 787-8's American origin.

Compensation and Family Communication

Responding to concerns raised by families of victims over inadequate communication and delays in compensation from Air India, Naidu said the ministry is closely monitoring the situation and remains in active contact with the airline. "We are constantly monitoring the situation, and we have told the airline that they should interact with the families and clear the compensation. There is a cell in the ministry that is monitoring the situation. If there are any other problems, the ministry will try to facilitate talks through the airline," he said.

The assurance comes amid growing frustration among some victim families who have reportedly flagged a lack of outreach from Air India in the months since the disaster.

What Happened on 12 June 2025

The tragedy unfolded on 12 June 2025, when a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operating as Air India Flight AI 171 took off from Runway 23 of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, bound for London Gatwick. The aircraft crashed less than a minute after takeoff into the densely populated Meghaninagar area of Ahmedabad, claiming 260 lives and triggering one of India's most extensive civil aviation investigations in recent memory.

With the final report expected within weeks, the findings are set to have far-reaching implications for aviation safety protocols, Boeing's Dreamliner operations, and Air India's regulatory standing.