Air India crash report likely to be ready in October, say investigators

The Indian agency responsible for investigating the fatal Air India plane crash has indicated that a draft final report may be completed by October, according to an affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) confirmed it is in the analysis phase of its inquiry, expecting to finish within approximately six weeks. The report will remain confidential until its official release. The crash occurred on 12 June 2025, when an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner departed from Ahmedabad airport in western India bound for London. Just seconds after takeoff, the plane crashed approximately 6 kilometers from the airport, striking a building used by medical staff at a local college. The impact resulted in a massive explosion. A total of 260 individuals lost their lives, comprising 241 passengers onboard and 19 people on the ground. Only one survivor, Viswashkumar Ramesh from Leicester, emerged from the wreckage. Following the disaster, the AAIB initiated an investigation and issued a preliminary report a month later. On the first anniversary of the crash, the bureau noted “significant progress” in analyzing evidence, though it offered limited additional information. In its recent affidavit, the AAIB disclosed that it had completed 49 of the 66 required steps in the investigation process. These steps encompassed examining the crash site and wreckage, gathering evidence such as the flight recorders, and reviewing documentation related to the crew’s medical backgrounds and training. The investigation also included a comprehensive review of organizational culture, human factors, and safety protocols. A psychological autopsy was performed, involving an aviation psychologist assessing the mental state of one or more crew members. The final psychological report has been received. Additionally, a transcript of the cockpit voice recorder was prepared, although further details were not disclosed. The initial report suggested that shortly after takeoff, fuel control switches unexpectedly shifted to the “cut-off” position, leading to a complete loss of engine power. Audio from the cockpit revealed one pilot questioning another about the action, with the other denying responsibility. However, the report did not specify which pilot made each statement. This ambiguity sparked discussions about the potential involvement of the pilots in the incident. Some international media outlets speculated that the focus of the investigation might be shifting toward the senior pilot, Captain Sumeet Sabharwal. This speculation triggered criticism from Sabharwal’s family, Indian pilots’ organizations, and the AAIB itself. The bureau expressed concern that media narratives assigning blame to the pilots had discouraged some witnesses from cooperating fully. In its latest filing, the AAIB responded to a legal petition by Sabharwal’s father, who sought an independent review of the crash. The agency emphasized that media speculation had negatively impacted witness cooperation, stating that “some witnesses have become restrictive and non-responsive.” The ongoing investigation continues, with the expectation that a more detailed report will be available by late September or early October.