Now Reading: Air India crash probe final draft to reach Supreme Court in October
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Air India crash probe final draft to reach Supreme Court in October
The Supreme Court was told Tuesday that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau will file its draft final report on the Air India AI-171 Ahmedabad crash by the first week of October in…
The Story in Brief
The Supreme Court was told Tuesday that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau will file its draft final report on the Air India AI-171 Ahmedabad crash by the first week of October in a sealed cover. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed a bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant that four simulation tests have been completed. The June 12, 2025, crash of the Boeing 787-8 killed 260 people, including former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani.
The AAIB has cited "absolute statutory prohibition" against sharing cockpit voice recordings or airborne images with any external committee or the public, citing Aircraft Rules 2025. The court adjourned the hearing to October 13. Separately, the AAIB is also investigating an August 4 turbulence incident on an Air India Phuket-Delhi flight that injured 17, with Airbus sending a team to Delhi to assist. The pilot of that flight returned a "non-negative" preliminary drug test.
The Indian Opinion
The AAIB's insistence on shielding cockpit voice recordings under statutory rules invites suspicion, not confidence. Indian readers have seen too many crash probes vanish into sealed envelopes. The Supreme Court must ensure the full draft, including simulation test results, is shared with victims' families before October 13. The real test: will the court allow independent technical experts to review the sealed report, or will this become another closed-door verdict? Numbers like 260 dead demand nothing less.
Sources (2): thehindubusinessline.com, hindustantimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
