Overview
- The crash of Air India Flight AI‑171 on June 12, 2025 killed 260 people and triggered an international Annex 13 investigation led by India’s AAIB.
- The AAIB told the Supreme Court the probe is in its analysis phase, with the cockpit voice recorder transcript and a psychological autopsy complete while engine monitoring unit data and some organisational reviews remain outstanding.
- The bureau said it has finished 49 of 66 ICAO‑prescribed investigative steps and expects remaining work to be done in about six weeks, with a draft final report due around October 2026.
- AAIB and the Centre opposed a parallel court‑monitored inquiry, arguing the treaty‑based process requires circulation of the draft to participating States and that Rule 17 of India’s 2025 rules bars public disclosure of cockpit recordings and other sensitive material.
- Investigators warned that media narratives blaming the pilots have made some witnesses less willing to cooperate, which they say risks weakening human‑factors evidence and could slow final findings and safety recommendations.