Ahmedabad Plane Crash: Final Report Expected by October, Cockpit Audio to Remain Confidential

The investigation into the Air India AI-171 crash in Ahmedabad has taken a significant legal turn, with the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) informing the Supreme Court that sensitive records related to the crash, including the cockpit voice recorder (CVR), cannot be made public under existing law.

In an affidavit filed before the apex court, the AAIB said the final draft investigation report is expected to be ready by October 2026, while the remaining investigation is likely to be completed within the next six weeks.

Why Can't The Cockpit Voice Recording Be Released?

According to the AAIB, several key records collected during the investigation are legally protected and cannot be shared with the public, outside committees or third parties.

These include:

• Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) recordings
• Audio and video recordings captured inside the aircraft
• Statements recorded from witnesses
• Internal communication involving pilots, airline staff and technical personnel
• Air Traffic Control (ATC) communication with the aircraft
• Personal and medical information of those killed or injured in the crash

What Does The Law Say?

The AAIB said Rule 17(5) of the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2025 prohibits the public disclosure of cockpit voice recordings and certain flight records.

According to the bureau, making such material public could discourage witnesses and aviation personnel from cooperating freely with investigators in future accident probes.

The investigation is also being conducted in accordance with ICAO Annex 13 and the Chicago Convention, which emphasise that aircraft accident investigations are conducted to improve aviation safety rather than determine criminal liability.

What Happened In The Ahmedabad Crash?

On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight AI-171 took off from Ahmedabad for London Gatwick.

Within minutes of take-off, the aircraft crashed into a medical college hostel.

The accident claimed the lives of 241 of the 242 people onboard, while 19 people on the ground also died, making it one of India's deadliest aviation disasters.

Also read: Ahmedabad plane crash: British agency steps back, says its role limited to ‘expert’

Why Was The Affidavit Filed?

The affidavit was submitted in response to petitions filed before the Supreme Court by:

• Pushkaraj Sabharwal, father of deceased pilot Captain Sumit Sabharwal
• Federation of Indian Pilots
• NGO Safety Matters Foundation

The petitioners had sought access to records related to the investigation.

The AAIB told the court that the remaining investigation is expected to conclude within six weeks, after which all evidence will be analysed before the draft final report is prepared in October 2026.