Air India’s Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, operating Flight AI-171 (ANI image)
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on Tuesday informed the Supreme Court that its investigation into the June 12, 2025 Air India Flight AI-171 crash, which claimed 260 lives, is not an “in-house” exercise limited to officials of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), but also involves experts and officials from countries whose nationals were among the victims.The submission was made during the hearing of petitions filed by the father of Captain Sumit Sabharwal and the Federation of Indian Pilots, who have sought a court-monitored investigation, alleging discrepancies in the ongoing probe.A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant heard submissions from both the petitioners and the AAIB.
Final report to be submitted in October
During the hearing, the AAIB informed the court that the investigation includes simulation exercises and detailed technical analysis to reconstruct the sequence of events and determine the cause of the crash.Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the AAIB, also assured the Bench that the draft final investigation report would be submitted to the Supreme Court in a sealed cover by October.
Probe delayed due to overseas examination
Explaining the revised timeline, Mehta said the investigation had taken longer than initially expected because several aircraft components had to be sent abroad for specialised forensic and technical examination before being returned to India. He told the court that these examinations were essential for a comprehensive investigation, making the process more time-consuming than originally anticipated.The matter came up as the petitioners sought greater judicial oversight over the probe into one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters.Air India’s Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, operating Flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after take-off on June 12, 2025, killing 260 people. The aircraft was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kunder. Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was among those killed.
