NEW DELHI (Diya TV) — India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has told the Supreme Court that cockpit conversations from the deadly Air India Flight AI171 crash in Ahmedabad cannot be made public, citing legal protections designed to preserve the integrity of aviation accident investigations, while also indicating a draft final investigation report is expected by October 2026.
In an affidavit filed before the court, the AAIB said several categories of evidence gathered during the investigation cannot legally be disclosed to the public or shared with outside committees. Those include cockpit voice recorder audio and transcripts, audio and video recorded inside the aircraft, witness statements collected during the investigation, communications involving pilots, airline personnel and other staff, air traffic control recordings, and personal and medical information of those killed or injured. According to the bureau, Rule 17(5) of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Rules, 2025, specifically prohibits public release of cockpit voice recordings and onboard recordings.
The AAIB argued that releasing such evidence publicly could undermine future accident investigations, telling the court that pilots, crew members, witnesses and aviation personnel may hesitate to speak candidly during investigations if they fear their statements could later be made public, which would weaken efforts to determine the causes of crashes and improve aviation safety. The agency stressed that the investigation’s purpose is not to assign blame to any individual pilot or crew member, but to determine why the crash occurred and recommend measures to prevent similar accidents.
The bureau told the court the probe is being conducted under Indian law as well as International Civil Aviation Organization Annex 13 and the Chicago Convention, international standards that govern aircraft accident investigations and allow authorities from the aircraft manufacturer’s country, the airline and other relevant agencies to participate. The AAIB said the remaining investigative work is expected to be completed within roughly six weeks, provided all required information is received on time, with a draft final report expected by October 2026.
The affidavit was filed in response to petitions brought by Pushkaraj Sabharwal, father of the late Capt. Sumeet Sabharwal, along with the Federation of Indian Pilots and the Safety Matters Foundation, who sought an independent, transparent investigation under the supervision of a retired judge. The Supreme Court has previously noted that the investigation has not held Capt. Sabharwal responsible for the crash.
Air India Flight AI171 departed Ahmedabad for London Gatwick Airport on June 12, 2025, and crashed into a medical college hostel complex minutes after takeoff. Of the 242 people on board, 241 were killed; 19 people on the ground also died, bringing the total death toll to 260. It remains one of the deadliest aviation accidents in India’s history.
