AI-171 Crash Investigation: Final Report Expected By October 2026

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has informed the Supreme Court of India that the final report into the tragic crash of Air India flight AI-171 will be ready by the end of October 2026. During a hearing on Wednesday, the Centre assured the bench that the investigation is now in its concluding phase. The apex court decided to wait for the official findings before proceeding further with the matter, scheduling the next hearing for October 13 to monitor the progress of the report's completion.

Investigative authorities have already ruled out several potential causes, including a fault in the fuel switch mechanism. The probe has scrutinized the technical logs and cockpit voice recordings to identify the sequence of events leading to the disaster. In a significant development, the Supreme Court accepted a plea from the pilot's father, requesting that certain sensitive aspects of the crash report not be made public initially to protect the privacy and dignity of the deceased flight crew. The pilot federation has also sought consideration of systemic factors rather than focusing solely on individual error.

The outcome of this investigation is critical for the Indian aviation sector, which has faced increased scrutiny over safety standards and pilot fatigue. Once the report is submitted, the DGCA and Ministry of Civil Aviation are expected to implement mandatory safety recommendations to prevent similar tragedies. For the families of the victims and the broader public, the October deadline represents a crucial step toward securing closure and ensuring accountability in one of the most high-profile aviation accidents in recent years.