New Delhi, July 15: The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has informed the Supreme Court that a draft final report into the fatal Air India Flight AI171 crash is expected to be ready by October 2026, marking a significant milestone in one of India’s most closely watched aviation investigations.

In a submission before the apex court, the AAIB said the investigation has entered its final analysis phase after completing several critical stages, including the transcription of the cockpit voice recorder (CVR), interviews with key personnel, and a psychological assessment as part of the human factors investigation.

According to investigators, the remaining work is expected to be completed within approximately six weeks, subject to the completion of certain external technical analyses, including engine-related examinations. Once the draft report is ready, it will be circulated to accredited participants in the investigation, including the United States, for comments before the final report is published in accordance with international aviation norms.

The AAIB made the disclosure while opposing petitions seeking a parallel judicial inquiry into the June 2025 disaster, arguing that the statutory accident investigation is progressing as mandated and is close to completion.

The Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner operating Flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick crashed shortly after take-off on 12 June 2025, killing 260 people, including passengers, crew members and people on the ground. The tragedy remains one of the deadliest aviation accidents in India’s history.

The final report is expected to determine the probable cause of the crash and recommend safety measures aimed at preventing similar accidents in the future. While speculation has surrounded various aspects of the investigation, aviation authorities have maintained that no conclusions should be drawn until the final report is officially released.