Key facts
- AAIB tells Supreme Court draft final report due by October
- Cockpit voice recordings cannot be shared, AAIB says
- Pilot-blame narrative allegedly affecting witnesses, SC told
- Probe in final stages; cockpit recorder and psychology review completed
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau told the Supreme Court that the draft final report into the Air India crash of June 2025 will be ready by October, giving the first concrete timeline for one of India's most consequential aviation investigations in recent memory. The AAIB also told the court that cockpit voice recordings from the flight cannot be shared, a position that is likely to face scrutiny from victims' families and legal representatives.
In a separate submission before the Supreme Court, petitioners argued that a pilot-blame narrative has been taking shape in the public domain and that it is affecting the willingness of witnesses to come forward freely. The concern flags a broader worry about whether the investigation can proceed without prejudice when one possible conclusion has already been widely circulated.
The AAIB indicated the probe has entered its final stages, with both cockpit recorder analysis and a psychology review of crew behaviour already completed. The October deadline for the draft report marks a significant step, though the final published report is expected to take longer and will be subject to further review and possible comment from parties including the aircraft manufacturer.
The Supreme Court's active involvement in monitoring the probe underscores the gravity of the crash and the level of public concern about accountability. What happens between now and October — particularly around the handling of evidence and the management of the public narrative — will shape how credible the final findings are seen to be.