Air India Crash Report Nears Completion
The investigation into the Air India plane crash that occurred last year, resulting in the loss of 260 lives, is approaching a significant milestone. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India has indicated that a draft final report is likely to be prepared by October. This update was provided to the Supreme Court through an affidavit filed on Tuesday.
Currently, the AAIB is in the midst of the analysis phase of the investigation. This phase is anticipated to conclude within approximately six weeks. However, the affidavit did not specify when the report would be made public or disclose any preliminary findings from the ongoing investigation.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The catastrophic event unfolded on June 12, 2025, when an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner, bound for London, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport in western India. The aircraft went down about 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) from the airport, striking a building used as doctors' accommodation at a medical college, which led to an explosion. Of the 260 fatalities, 241 were passengers on board, and 19 were individuals on the ground. Miraculously, only one passenger, Viswashkumar Ramesh from Leicester, survived the crash.
In the aftermath of the incident, the AAIB swiftly initiated an investigation, releasing a preliminary report a month later. On the first anniversary of the crash, an update was provided stating that substantial progress had been made, although specific details were limited.
Progress in the Investigation
The affidavit submitted to the court revealed that the AAIB has completed 49 out of the 66 mandated steps required for investigating a serious aircraft accident. This extensive process has included examining the crash site and aircraft wreckage, gathering evidence such as flight recorders, and reviewing pertinent documents like crew medical histories and training records.
Further investigative measures involved an evaluation of organizational culture, human factors, and safety practices. Notably, a psychological autopsy was conducted, and the final report from the aviation psychologist has been received. This suggests a focus on assessing the psychological profiles of one or more crew members as part of the investigation into human factors.
Additionally, the AAIB has prepared a transcript of the cockpit voice recorder, though specific details have not been disclosed.
Preliminary Findings and Speculations
The preliminary report, released last July, noted that moments after takeoff, the fuel-control switches inexplicably moved to the 'cut-off' position, depriving the engines of fuel and leading to total power loss. Audio from the cockpit captured one pilot questioning the other about this, with the response being that he did not take that action. The report did not clarify which pilot made either statement.
This ambiguity has led to speculation regarding the pilots' roles in the crash. Some international media reports have suggested a shift in focus towards the senior pilot, Capt Sumeet Sabharwal. These reports have been met with criticism from Sabharwal's family, pilots' associations in India, and the AAIB, all of whom have denounced the media coverage.
The affidavit also addressed a lawsuit filed by Sabharwal's father, who is demanding an independent investigation into the crash. It stated that "media speculation and narrative attributing blameworthiness to the pilots have, regrettably, caused some witnesses to become restrictive and non-responsive."
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