AI 171 Crash Probe in Final Stage, Report Likely Within a Month: Aviation Minister

May 2026 : Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu on Friday said that the investigation into the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI 171, which claimed 260 lives in Ahmedabad, is in its final stages and is likely to be completed within a month.

The minister made the statement while speaking on the sidelines of the second edition of the Aircraft Leasing and Financing Summit held at GIFT City in Gandhinagar.

Naidu clarified that the investigation is being independently carried out by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and stressed that the government is not interfering in the probe process.

“The crash investigation is in the final stage and could even be completed in a month. However, the investigation is being done by the AAIB and we don’t interfere in it. We are giving them all the resources they need,” the minister said.

Highlighting the importance of transparency and accountability, Naidu noted that the final report would undergo international scrutiny because several foreign nationals were among the passengers onboard the flight.

“There were international passengers on the flight. Anyone can question the report, and it will be up for scrutiny, so this report must be done with transparency. Our effort is that the report is completed as soon as possible, but because of that, we cannot interrupt the process,” he added.

The AAIB had earlier submitted its preliminary findings to the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation on July 12, 2025. Investigators have since been analysing technical data, cockpit recordings, aircraft systems and other operational details related to the crash.

Responding to concerns raised by some families of the victims over delays in compensation and communication from the airline, Naidu said the ministry has been closely monitoring the situation and remains in constant touch with Air India.

“We are constantly monitoring the situation, and we have told the airline that they should interact with the families and clear the compensation. There is a cell in the ministry that is monitoring the situation. If there are any other problems, the ministry will try to facilitate talks through the airline,” he said.

The deadly crash occurred on June 12, 2025, when the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operating as AI 171 took off from Runway 23 of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport for London Gatwick Airport. Less than a minute after takeoff, the aircraft crashed into the densely populated Meghaninagar area of Ahmedabad, triggering one of India’s worst aviation disasters in recent years.

The final investigation report is expected to provide crucial insights into the cause of the crash and recommend safety measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.