The preliminary investigation report into the Air India Flight AI171 crash is expected to be released by July 11, adhering to international aviation standards. However, news agency ANI reports that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) already submitted its preliminary report on the Air India Flight AI-171 disaster to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and other international aviation bodies on July 8, 2025. The document is expected to be approximately four to five pages long and will offer initial insights into the causes of the June 12 tragedy. The report will be made public later this week.
Air India flight AI171, en route to London from Ahmedabad, crashed just 32 seconds after takeoff on June 12, 2025. The crash claimed the lives of over 260 people. Of the 242 people onboard the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, 241 were killed. Only one passenger survived the tragedy. The flight took off at 13:39 IST and crashed into a building of the BJ Medical College hostel in Ahmedabad.
Under International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) rules, India is obligated to file a preliminary report within 30 days of an air crash. The preliminary report will include key details such as the aircraft type (Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner), information about the flight crew, airport conditions in Ahmedabad, and the weather at the time of takeoff. Findings from the crash site, the name of the lead investigator, the investigation's progress, and planned next steps will also be included. The report is expected to highlight areas that require further examination.
The AAIB's investigation includes experts from the Indian Air Force, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), and the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Officials from Boeing, GE, aviation medicine specialists, and Air Traffic Control experts are also participating. The investigation is being conducted under the guidelines of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and India's Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules.
The Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR), often referred to as the aircraft's "black boxes," were recovered in the days following the crash. Indian investigators successfully extracted critical data from both devices at the AAIB lab in Delhi. The memory module from the cockpit's Crash Protection Module (CPM) was accessed on June 25, and data was successfully downloaded and verified using a "golden chassis".
In a related development, at least three Air India training pilots on the airline's Boeing 787 fleet attempted to recreate likely scenarios in Mumbai that could have led to the accident. The pilots attempted to simulate electrical failures that might cause a dual-engine flame-out, resulting in the aircraft's inability to climb after takeoff. However, they were unsuccessful in replicating the conditions.
Junior Civil Aviation Minister Murlidhar Mohol stated that a full investigation is underway, and all possibilities, including sabotage, are being explored. The final investigation report is expected approximately three months after the incident, around mid-September.
