New Delhi: A year after Air India flight AI-171 went down in a horrific crash at Ahmedabad, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has, for the first time, spelt out how far the inquiry has actually come. In an interim statement issued on Friday, the bureau said the probe had made solid and meaningful headway over the past twelve months. Investigators, it added, have had notable success in poring over the aircraft's systems, the data captured by its flight recorders, engine-related components and other key pieces of evidence.
What the team has examined so far
According to the bureau, the investigating team has, over the last year, dug into every angle of the disaster — technical faults, the operational side of the flight, the organisational set-up and the human factors have all been studied at length and in depth. The bureau noted that it drew on the support of accredited representatives nominated by various concerned entities, along with technical advisers and subject-matter experts. The aircraft's technical systems, the data retrieved from its flight recorders, engine-related equipment, maintenance records, operational documents and other crucial evidence have all been put under close scrutiny.
The road ahead
The AAIB made clear that the evidence collected so far, together with the results of the various tests carried out, is now being studied as a single body of material in a comprehensive and thorough analysis. Wherever the need is felt, additional technical evaluation and expert-level examination will also be commissioned. The aim, it said, is to ensure that every conclusion of the investigation rests on proven evidence and scientific analysis rather than on guesswork.
How the tragedy unfolded
For the record, Air India flight AI-171 took off from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on 12 June 2025 and crashed only moments later. The aircraft was a Boeing 787-8. The devastating accident claimed a total of 260 lives — 229 passengers and 12 crew members on board, along with 19 people on the ground.
The framework guiding the inquiry
The bureau said the entire investigation is being conducted in line with the Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation Rules, 2017, and the standards and guidelines laid down in Annex-13 of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The preliminary report on the crash was already released on 12 July 2025. The final report, however, will be issued only once all investigative procedures are complete and the international review and consultation process prescribed under ICAO Annex-13 has been concluded.
The real purpose is not to assign blame
Underlining an important point, the bureau stressed that the purpose of any aircraft accident investigation is never to pin blame on anyone or to fix legal liability. The real intent is to learn lessons from the accident so that aviation safety can be made stronger in the future. The AAIB reiterated that it remains committed to a fair, independent, objective and entirely evidence-based inquiry.
An appeal to the media and the public
Expressing deep condolences to all the families and loved ones who lost someone in the crash, the bureau said it understands the grief and pain of everyone touched by the tragedy. It also urged the media and the general public to refrain from speculation or jumping to hasty conclusions before the investigation is over. The AAIB gave an assurance that every aspect of the disaster will be examined with full care and seriousness, so that the final report and the safety recommendations win the confidence of all stakeholders and help further reinforce civil aviation safety in the country.
