Ahmedabad Crash: AAIB to Release Initial Report Soon

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is set to release its preliminary report this week on the catastrophic Air India Flight AI-171 crash in Ahmedabad, which killed at least 260 people on June 12, 2025, top AAIB officials informed the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism, and Culture on July 9, 2025. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, en route to London Gatwick, crashed into a medical hostel complex shortly after takeoff, leaving only one survivor among the 242 onboard and killing at least 33 on the ground, including former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani.

The AAIB, led by Director General GVG Yugandhar, confirmed that the black box and cockpit voice recorder are intact, with data analysis ongoing in collaboration with Boeing, the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and other experts. The investigation, launched on June 13, adheres to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) norms, which mandate a preliminary report within 30 days. Sources indicate the five-page report will outline initial observations on flight data, crew actions, weather, and aircraft performance without specifying a cause.

The parliamentary panel, chaired by JD-U MP Sanjay Jha, raised concerns about aviation safety, noting an 8% drop in domestic air traffic post-crash. Members criticized rapid urbanization near airports, overworked air traffic controllers, and 50% vacancy rates in the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Air India CEO Campbell Wilson and other airline chiefs addressed safety protocols during the day-long meeting. A high-level committee led by the Union Home Secretary is also probing the crash to recommend preventive measures.

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