Six significant developments in the Ahmedabad crash and the publicly documented investigation, with early reports separated from later records.
Six event milestones through 28 July 2026. AAIB’s public index was checked again on 4 November: the checked page still lists the June 2026 interim statement, and no public AI171 final report was located. This does not establish whether a confidential draft exists.
Flight AI171 crashes shortly after take-off
The London-bound Boeing 787 crashed in Ahmedabad. Air India confirmed 241 onboard deaths and one surviving passenger as early reports evolved.
Early ground-fatality totals were provisional. The later AAIB table records 260 deaths in total; do not retain early estimates as the settled count.
- Associated Press: Airline confirms one survivor after Ahmedabad crash · Contemporaneous reporting quoting Air India
- Reuters / ThePrint: Initial report of the Ahmedabad crash · Contemporaneous initial reporting
Investigators download the front recorder’s data
The aviation ministry said the front recorder’s memory was accessed and downloaded at AAIB’s Delhi laboratory, enabling voice and flight-data analysis.
The ministry’s statement was published on 26 June and dates the successful download to 25 June. Recorder recovery and a cause determination are different steps.
- Ministry of Civil Aviation / PIB: Recorder recovery and data-extraction status · Investigation progress statement
Preliminary report establishes a factual baseline
AAIB recorded 260 fatalities: 241 onboard and 19 on the ground. Recorder data showed both fuel switches changing to cutoff, then back to run.
The preliminary report does not identify who moved the switches or why, establish a final cause, or assign blame. The 15-page report was read; its fatality table was checked visually.
- Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau: AI171 preliminary accident report · Preliminary safety investigation report
AAIB rejects claims that the probe is finalised
AAIB described reports that its investigation had been finalised as incorrect and speculative, saying work remained ongoing and conclusions would follow a final report.
This is an official clarification at that date. It does not establish whether a later draft was submitted confidentially.
- AAIB / Ministry of Civil Aviation / PIB: AAIB says investigation remains ongoing · Investigation authority clarification
Anniversary statement says integrated analysis continues
AAIB said aircraft systems, recorders, engine components, maintenance and human factors remained under examination; a final report required investigation and international consultation.
The authority reiterated that safety investigations aim to prevent accidents, not apportion blame or liability.
- AAIB / Ministry of Civil Aviation / PIB: AI171 investigation progress statement · One-year interim investigation statement
Ministry tells Rajya Sabha AI171 investigation remains in progress
In a written answer to Rajya Sabha Unstarred Question 806, the Civil Aviation Ministry said the AI171 investigation was ongoing, all probable causes and contributing factors were being investigated, and the final report would be published after the investigation. It gave no predictable completion date. The answer also reported no abnormality in an OEM examination of a fuel-control-switch locking mechanism after a separate February 2026 grounding, while inspection of the complete Thrust Control Module remained underway; that test is not a finding on AI171's cause.
The answer makes no finding about pilot culpability or exoneration. Its fuel-control-switch test concerns airworthiness testing following a separate February 2026 grounding; it must not be presented as a causal finding for AI171. The latest AAIB status statement located in this review is its 12 June 2026 interim statement, which said integrated analysis and any necessary specialist examinations were continuing.
- Government of India, Ministry of Civil Aviation / Rajya Sabha: Unstarred Question No. 806: Delay in publication of AAIB final report on AI-171 crash · Official parliamentary written answer
Court hears an October target for a draft report
PTI reported that the government told the Supreme Court a draft final report was expected in early October and would be submitted under seal.
A forecast for a confidential draft is not publication of a final investigation report. No conclusion about pilot intent or blame follows from this procedural update.
- PTI / ThePrint: Court hears forecast for an AI171 draft report · Court-hearing reporting