The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has informed the Supreme Court that it expects to complete the draft final report on the Air India flight AI-171 crash by October 2026. This crash, which occurred in June 2025 in Ahmedabad, resulted in the tragic loss of 260 lives. The announcement was made in an affidavit submitted to the court.

This affidavit was filed in response to a petition from Pushkaraj Sabharwal, the 91-year-old father of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who was piloting the flight at the time of the incident. Sabharwal, joined by the Federation of Indian Pilots, is requesting a court-supervised inquiry led by a former Supreme Court judge. The Supreme Court had previously advised Sabharwal that he should not shoulder blame for the accident.

The AAIB elaborated on the complexities of investigating a serious accident involving an international flight, emphasising that such inquiries fall under the purview of the Chicago Convention and Annex 13 of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) rules.

Details of the Investigation Framework

The AAIB’s document asserts that the investigation’s structure is not solely a national matter. It is governed by international treaties that mandate the involvement of multiple countries with recognised connections to the aircraft, its operation, design, or manufacturing. Notably, the investigation is not confined to mere domestic procedures, thus involving various international stakeholders in the process.

“In accordance with Article 26 of the relevant treaties, the responsible nation must initiate an inquiry,” the AAIB stated. This stipulation ensures that the investigation involves cooperation with all related countries, each participating through accredited representatives and technical experts. The bureau also highlighted that the primary objective of these investigations is to enhance aviation safety, rather than to assign blame or determine civil or criminal liability.

Confidentiality and Safety Concerns

Furthermore, the AAIB highlighted the vital importance of maintaining strict confidentiality regarding sensitive information obtained during the investigation. This includes witness statements, cockpit voice recordings, transcripts of air traffic control communications, medical records, and other protected documents. The bureau stated that disclosing such information could have detrimental effects on the investigation’s integrity and future aviation safety initiatives.

Sabharwal’s petition expresses concern over the need for a “fair and transparent investigation,” arguing that any incomplete inquiry that fails to establish the precise cause of the crash poses risks for future passengers. The petition insists that the safety of aviation is paramount, pointing out that any inadequacy in the inquiry undermines broader aviation safety and could violate Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.

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