Investigation into Air India Plane Crash in Ahmedabad Expected to Conclude Soon

Timeline for Investigation Completion

The investigation into the Air India aircraft accident in Ahmedabad is anticipated to be completed within the next six weeks. According to an affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), a draft of the final report is expected to be ready by October 2026.

Investigation Based on Severity and Complexity

The AAIB has indicated that the timeline for the investigation is determined by the severity, scale, and technical complexity of the incident. If necessary procedures involving other agencies are completed promptly, the investigation could wrap up in the next six weeks. Based on the findings and technical data, a draft final report will be prepared by October 2026. The affidavit also stated that all ten essential steps required by Indian law for investigating aircraft accidents are being meticulously followed, ensuring compliance with investigation regulations. The AAIB informed the Supreme Court that the audio recordings from the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and other images or audio recordings from the aircraft cannot be released to the public, as such actions are strictly prohibited by law.

Ensuring Witnesses Can Speak Freely

According to the AAIB, these regulations are established to ensure that witnesses can testify without pressure, allowing investigation agencies to operate independently and ensuring that the impartiality of the accident investigation is maintained. Furthermore, the AAIB's detailed affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court highlighted that there is a "complete legal prohibition" on disclosing the cockpit voice recordings and airborne image recordings from the aircraft accident that occurred on June 12, 2025, in Ahmedabad to any external committee or the public. Sharing such information would violate the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2025, specifically Rule 17(1) and Rule 17(5), along with Schedule C. The AAIB emphasized that serious accidents related to international flights are not merely domestic matters but fall under international investigations as per the Chicago Convention and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 13 regulations.