No interim report in Ahmedabad Air India crash probe, final findings awaited
Questions continue to swirl around the Air India 171 crash investigation as officials insist the probe is far from over, with investigators still working through crucial evidence before publishing the final findings.
The investigation into the Air India 171 crash in Ahmedabad is still underway, with authorities unlikely to release any interim report as multiple agencies continue examining several aspects linked to the accident, top Ministry of Civil Aviation sources told India Today.
According to sources, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is working towards preparing a comprehensive final report on the crash, and no interim report is expected before that process is completed.
The Air India 171 crash, which took place in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, has remained under intense scrutiny since investigative agencies began examining the circumstances surrounding the incident.
AAIB CONTINUES INVESTIGATION
Sources said the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, which is leading the probe, is still analysing several technical and operational factors connected to the crash.
“Several factors are being worked upon by the concerned investigative agencies,” top Ministry of Civil Aviation sources said.
The AAIB is still working towards formulating the final report, sources added.
Officials familiar with the process said the bureau is focused on compiling a detailed report that will include technical findings, operational analysis and conclusions drawn from evidence gathered during the investigation.
The AAIB had earlier released the preliminary report into the Air India 171 crash within the stipulated timeline of 30 days as required under international aviation norms.
NO ‘COMPULSION’ ON FINAL REPORT TIMELINE
The clarification from government sources comes amid recent international media reports claiming that the AAIB could issue an “interim report” instead of the final report.
Sources within the Ministry of Civil Aviation pushed back against the narrative that there was any compulsion to make the final report public within 12 months.
Referring to ICAO Annex 13 norms on aircraft accident investigations, sources said the rules mandate that the state conducting the probe should release a preliminary report within 30 days of the accident or earlier if safety concerns are involved.
The international norms also say the final report should be made public “as soon as possible” and preferably within 12 months. If that does not happen, an interim statement may be issued publicly.
However, sources said major aviation accident investigations often take much longer globally.
“In case of major accidents, the average time taken to finalise and make the final report public has remained nearly 20-22 months. And the Air India 171 crash is a rare one,” a source said.
GOVT WANTS REPORT TO BE ‘CONCLUSIVE’
Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu had recently said that the AAIB would release the final report “soon”.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has maintained that it is not interfering in the investigation or the preparation of the report, in line with international protocols governing aircraft accident probes.
Sources said the Indian government wants the final report to be “conclusive, professional and scientific”.
“The families who have lost their loved ones, the families of the crew, parents of Captain Sumit Sabrawal and Clive Kunder are waiting for answers. The investigation will be completed and a final report will be made public by the AAIB,” another source aware of the developments told India Today.
Authorities are continuing to analyse evidence, technical data and other inputs linked to the crash before arriving at final conclusions.
The investigation into the Air India 171 crash in Ahmedabad is still underway, with authorities unlikely to release any interim report as multiple agencies continue examining several aspects linked to the accident, top Ministry of Civil Aviation sources told India Today.
According to sources, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is working towards preparing a comprehensive final report on the crash, and no interim report is expected before that process is completed.
The Air India 171 crash, which took place in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, has remained under intense scrutiny since investigative agencies began examining the circumstances surrounding the incident.
AAIB CONTINUES INVESTIGATION
Sources said the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, which is leading the probe, is still analysing several technical and operational factors connected to the crash.
“Several factors are being worked upon by the concerned investigative agencies,” top Ministry of Civil Aviation sources said.
The AAIB is still working towards formulating the final report, sources added.
Officials familiar with the process said the bureau is focused on compiling a detailed report that will include technical findings, operational analysis and conclusions drawn from evidence gathered during the investigation.
The AAIB had earlier released the preliminary report into the Air India 171 crash within the stipulated timeline of 30 days as required under international aviation norms.
NO ‘COMPULSION’ ON FINAL REPORT TIMELINE
The clarification from government sources comes amid recent international media reports claiming that the AAIB could issue an “interim report” instead of the final report.
Sources within the Ministry of Civil Aviation pushed back against the narrative that there was any compulsion to make the final report public within 12 months.
Referring to ICAO Annex 13 norms on aircraft accident investigations, sources said the rules mandate that the state conducting the probe should release a preliminary report within 30 days of the accident or earlier if safety concerns are involved.
The international norms also say the final report should be made public “as soon as possible” and preferably within 12 months. If that does not happen, an interim statement may be issued publicly.
However, sources said major aviation accident investigations often take much longer globally.
“In case of major accidents, the average time taken to finalise and make the final report public has remained nearly 20-22 months. And the Air India 171 crash is a rare one,” a source said.
GOVT WANTS REPORT TO BE ‘CONCLUSIVE’
Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu had recently said that the AAIB would release the final report “soon”.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has maintained that it is not interfering in the investigation or the preparation of the report, in line with international protocols governing aircraft accident probes.
Sources said the Indian government wants the final report to be “conclusive, professional and scientific”.
“The families who have lost their loved ones, the families of the crew, parents of Captain Sumit Sabrawal and Clive Kunder are waiting for answers. The investigation will be completed and a final report will be made public by the AAIB,” another source aware of the developments told India Today.
Authorities are continuing to analyse evidence, technical data and other inputs linked to the crash before arriving at final conclusions.
