The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has submitted its preliminary report on the tragic Air India Flight AI-171 crash to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and other relevant authorities, according to the news agency ANI, citing top government sources. The report, based on initial findings from the ongoing investigation, could throw some light in understanding the circumstances surrounding the devastating incident that occurred on June 12, 2025, in Ahmedabad killing at least 260 people. However, the specific details of the report remain confidential at this stage.
The Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, en route to London Gatwick from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport, crashed just 32 seconds after takeoff, claiming the lives of 241 passengers and crew on board, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, and causing additional civilian casualties on the ground. The crash, one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent Indian history, has drawn widespread attention and raised questions about aviation safety protocols.
According to ANI, the preliminary report is based on early assessments, including analysis of the black box data, which comprises the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR). These critical components were recovered from the crash site on June 13 and June 16, respectively, and their data was successfully accessed by June 25 at the AAIB’s laboratory in New Delhi. The investigation, led by the AAIB with support from international experts, including the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), is examining various factors, such as engine performance, flap settings, and the position of fuel switches, to determine the cause of the crash.
While the report’s contents have not been disclosed, sources suggest it may provide initial insights into the sequence of events leading to the tragedy. Speculation about potential causes, including dual-engine failure or possible sabotage, has been circulating, but the AAIB has not yet confirmed any specific findings. The preliminary report is expected to lay the groundwork for a comprehensive final report, anticipated within three months, which will offer a clearer picture of the incident and recommend safety measures to prevent future occurrences.
The crash has prompted significant scrutiny of India’s aviation safety framework. During a recent meeting of the Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee, members of parliament raised pointed questions about the investigation’s transparency, the composition of the probe team, and the need for an independent audit of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has also mandated additional safety checks for all Boeing 787 aircraft operating in India, and Air India has scaled back its operations to stabilise its network.
