The final investigation report into the Air India AI171 crash may take another two to three months to complete , sources familiar with the probe told businessline.

“The investigation is well on track for a comprehensive report. It will be placed in the public domain following due process. Nothing will be kept in the dark,” a source close to the investigation process said.

A second source familiar with the developments said the final report is unlikely to be ready by the first anniversary of the crash (June 12, 2026) and may require another two to three months before being completed.

“Owing to the West Asia crisis, as well as other issues, the probe has faced certain challenges, but it is well on track,” the second source said.

“The relevant authorities are monitoring the process on a daily basis. However, a complete hands-off approach has been maintained since it is an independent investigation.”

Notably, these comments come as June 12 marks one year since the Air India AI171 accident, which has been described as one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent years.

Meanwhile, some industry observers had expected that authorities could issue either a substantive update or the final investigation report around the first anniversary of the accident.

However, sources familiar with the process said there was no international obligation requiring investigators to publish their final findings exactly one year after an accident.

As per established global aviation investigation practices, agencies are encouraged to release a final report within 12 months wherever practical. 

If the inquiry remains in progress, investigators may instead provide an update on the status of the investigation and the work completed so far, sources said.

At present, sources said investigators are continuing to examine all available evidence and remain focused on ensuring that the final report is thorough, evidence-based and technically rigorous before its release.

“The effort is to ensure that all relevant aspects are examined in detail before the investigation is concluded and the final report is issued,” a source said.

To date, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has maintained that the inquiry into the AI171 crash remains active.

Accordingly, the exercise involves a detailed assessment of technical evidence and continued engagement with multiple parties, including aircraft manufacturers and overseas agencies, making the process both extensive and time-consuming.

Earlier, the AAIB had clarified in its preliminary report that the observations contained in the document were based on evidence available at that stage of the investigation. 

The bureau had cautioned against drawing definitive conclusions until all investigative work is completed and the final report is released. 

It had further reiterated that the purpose of the exercise is to identify safety lessons and strengthen aviation standards, rather than assign responsibility or determine liability.

The preliminary investigation report into the Air India AI171 crash has revealed that both engines of the Boeing 787-8 aircraft shut down within seconds of takeoff, leading to the fatal accident that claimed 260 lives.

The aircraft, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner operating a scheduled service from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after departing from Runway 23 at Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1.39 pm on June 12, 2025. The accident resulted in the death of 241 passengers and crew members on board, besides 19 fatalities on the ground.

According to the preliminary report released by the AAIB in July 2025, the fuel control switch had moved from the ‘RUN’ to the ‘CUTOFF’ position within seconds of the aircraft attaining its maximum recorded speed of 180 knots during takeoff.

The report had noted that the transition occurred about three seconds after the aircraft reached 180 knots, resulting in the shutdown of both engines while the aircraft was airborne.

Published on June 11, 2026