NEW DELHI: The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on July 28, informed the Supreme Court that its investigation into the catastrophic Air India Flight AI-171 crash is far from an “in-house” exercise, asserting that the probe involves international experts, foreign authorities, advanced simulations, and specialised forensic analysis to determine what caused one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters.
The submission came during the hearing of petitions filed by the father of the late Captain Sumit Sabharwal and the Federation of Indian Pilots, both of whom have sought a court-monitored investigation while raising concerns over alleged discrepancies in the ongoing inquiry.
A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant heard detailed submissions from both the petitioners and the AAIB regarding the progress of the investigation into the June 12, 2025 crash that claimed 260 lives.
Responding to concerns over the nature of the investigation, the AAIB categorically rejected suggestions that the probe was being conducted solely by officials of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
Instead, the Bureau informed the Court that the investigation includes experts and officials from countries whose citizens were among those killed in the crash. It also stated that investigators are relying on extensive technical simulations and scientific reconstruction of the accident to establish the sequence of events leading to the tragedy.
Appearing for the AAIB, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta assured the Supreme Court that the Bureau would submit its final investigation report in a sealed cover by October 2026.
During the hearing, Mehta also explained why the investigation had taken longer than previously indicated. Although an earlier assurance had suggested that the report could be completed by January, he told the Court that several critical aircraft components had to be sent overseas for specialised forensic and technical examination before being returned to India.
According to the Solicitor General, the complex nature of the investigation, involving international forensic testing and detailed technical analysis, has necessitated additional time before investigators can arrive at definitive conclusions regarding the cause of the crash.
The AI-171 disaster, which claimed 260 lives, remains one of India’s most significant aviation tragedies in recent years. The outcome of the AAIB investigation is expected to play a crucial role in determining the factors that led to the crash and whether any operational, technical, or regulatory lapses contributed to the accident.
With the Supreme Court now informed that the investigation has an international dimension and is nearing completion, attention will shift to the final report expected in October, which is likely to provide the most authoritative account yet of the circumstances surrounding the Air India AI-171 crash.
