The investigation into the Air India flight AI-171 crash that killed 260 people in Ahmedabad on 12 June 2025 has entered its final stage, with the official report expected shortly, Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu said on Tuesday, 2 September. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is completing the remaining procedural steps before issuing its conclusions, the minister confirmed.

Where the Investigation Stands

Minister Naidu stated that the AAIB is proceeding strictly in accordance with international protocols and that no steps will be skipped in the interest of speed. 'We are all waiting,' he said, adding that the bureau is committed to following international protocol strictly. The Centre had earlier informed the Supreme Court that a final draft report would be submitted in a sealed cover during the first week of October.

The probe is being conducted under the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2017, as amended, and in line with the standards and recommended practices under Annex 13 of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The investigation has drawn in accredited representatives, technical advisers, and subject matter experts from multiple relevant organisations, contributing to its extended timeline.

Supreme Court Oversight

The investigation remains under the watch of the Supreme Court, which is hearing petitions demanding an independent, court-monitored inquiry into the disaster. The court was informed in July that the AAIB's probe had substantially progressed, and that four simulation tests had been conducted in connection with an application filed by one of the petitioners. The bench decided to await the statutory investigation's findings before determining whether any further inquiry was warranted. The next hearing has been scheduled for 13 October.

What the Preliminary Report Found

The AAIB released a preliminary report on 12 July 2025, containing factual information gathered in the immediate aftermath of the crash. The report recorded that the aircraft's engine fuel control switches moved from the 'RUN' position to 'CUTOFF' shortly after take-off, resulting in the loss of engine thrust. The preliminary report, however, did not constitute a final determination of cause — that finding is reserved for the forthcoming final report.

The Crash: What Happened

Air India flight AI-171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operating the Ahmedabad–London Gatwick route, crashed shortly after take-off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on 12 June 2025. The aircraft came down in the Meghani Nagar area of Ahmedabad, striking the BJ Medical College doctors' hostel. Of the 241 people on board, all but one perished; 19 people on the ground were also killed, bringing the total death toll to 260. One passenger survived.

What the Final Report Is Expected to Address

The final AAIB report is expected to set out investigators' conclusions on the causes and contributing factors behind the disaster, covering aircraft systems, flight data, operational circumstances, and human factors. The investigation's technical complexity and its international dimensions — involving foreign aviation authorities and the aircraft manufacturer — have extended the timeline beyond what is typical for domestic inquiries. The report's release will mark a critical milestone in one of India's deadliest aviation disasters in decades.