The Central government on Tuesday informed the Supreme Court that the draft final investigation report into the June 2025 Air India AI-171 crash in Ahmedabad is expected to be placed before the court in a sealed cover during the first week of October.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana recorded the submission made by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta while hearing petitions seeking an independent, court-monitored investigation into the crash that claimed 260 lives.
Government Updates Court On Investigation
Appearing for the Centre, the Solicitor General informed the Bench that four simulation tests sought through an application filed by one of the petitioners have already been carried out. He also stated that the draft final report prepared by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) would be submitted before the court in a sealed cover in the first week of October.
The court also took note of the Centre’s submission that the Federation of Indian Pilots is free to submit its inputs to the AAIB. According to the government, the investigating agency may examine those suggestions and consider them during the course of the investigation if found necessary.
Petitions Seek Independent Probe
The Supreme Court is hearing petitions filed by an NGO, a law student and the father of one of the deceased pilots, all of whom have sought an independent investigation under the court’s supervision into the fatal crash.
After the brief hearing, the Bench scheduled the matter for further consideration on October 13.
AAIB Says Draft Report Expected In October
The hearing comes after the AAIB recently informed the Supreme Court through an affidavit that the draft final report into the Ahmedabad crash is expected to be ready in October.
The investigation agency also reiterated before the court that cockpit voice recordings and airborne image recordings from the June 12, 2025 crash cannot be disclosed to any external committee or made public. It stated that such disclosure is expressly barred under Rule 17(1) and Rule 17(5), read with Schedule C of the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2025.
Earlier, the Supreme Court had directed the Centre to place on record a brief note explaining the procedural protocol followed during the investigation after being informed that the AAIB probe was nearing completion.
About The Crash
Air India’s Boeing 787-8 aircraft operating Flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to London’s Gatwick Airport crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025. The aircraft was commanded by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, with Captain Clive Kunder serving as co-pilot.
The accident claimed 260 lives, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.
