NEW DELHI: India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has entered the final phase of its investigation into the deadly Air India Boeing 787 crash, completing a transcript of the cockpit voice recorder and conducting a psychological review as part of the probe, according to a court filing.
The investigation relates to the June 2025 crash near Ahmedabad that claimed 260 lives shortly after takeoff.
What Progress Has Been Made in the Air India Crash Investigation?
According to the AAIB, investigators have prepared the cockpit voice recorder transcript and carried out a psychological autopsy as part of the inquiry. The filing did not identify whose psychological assessment was conducted or disclose any findings.
The bureau said analysis of data retrieved from the aircraft’s engine monitoring unit in late May is still pending, while assessments of certain organisational factors are continuing.
Investigators have interviewed Air India Boeing 787 pilots, crew members who previously flew with the accident crew, technical personnel responsible for preparing the aircraft, air traffic controllers, weather officials and human factors specialists.
The AAIB also confirmed that families of the flight crew were contacted during the early stages of the investigation as part of its evidence-gathering process.
When Will the Final Investigation Report Be Released?
The AAIB said the investigation has now entered the analysis stage, where findings and conclusions are being developed across operational, technical, human factors and organisational aspects of the crash.
According to the court filing, the remaining investigative work is expected to be completed within approximately six weeks, subject to pending external inputs.
A draft final report is expected to be prepared in October 2026 and circulated to participating countries, including the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), for review and comments before its final publication.
The disclosures were made in response to a lawsuit filed by the father of the aircraft’s captain, who alleged investigators had implied his son intentionally cut fuel to the aircraft’s engines following the crash.
The AAIB stated that media speculation assigning blame to the pilots had affected the investigation by making some witnesses “restrictive and non-responsive.” It reiterated that the inquiry remains ongoing and that no definitive conclusions have yet been reached.