The Supreme Court on Tuesday decided to postpone further hearings related to the Air India Flight AI-171 crash after the Centre informed the court that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is expected to submit its final investigation report by the end of October 2026. The court chose to wait for the official findings instead of ordering a separate probe at this stage.
The case relates to the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI-171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, while operating a scheduled flight to London. The accident claimed the lives of 260 people, including passengers, crew members, and individuals on the ground, making it one of India’s worst aviation disasters in recent history.
During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Union government, informed the bench that the AAIB has already completed several crucial stages of the investigation, including four simulator tests designed to recreate the aircraft’s final moments. He said the investigation has reached an advanced stage and the final report is expected to be ready by October after all technical examinations are completed.
The government
also explained that the investigation is not being carried out solely by Indian authorities. Experts from several countries, including those representing the aircraft’s manufacturer and nations whose citizens died in the crash, are participating in the investigation in accordance with international aviation rules under the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Some components of the aircraft are also being examined overseas, contributing to the longer investigation timeline.
The Supreme Court
was hearing petitions seeking an independent, court-monitored investigation into the accident. Petitioners argued that an independent inquiry would improve transparency and public confidence in the findings. However, the Centre maintained that the AAIB is conducting the investigation according to internationally accepted procedures and that there is currently no need for a parallel inquiry.
The court also took note of the government’s assurance that the Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) may submit any technical observations or evidence to the AAIB. The investigation agency will examine those submissions and consider them if they are found relevant to determining the cause of the accident.
