The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has submitted its preliminary report on the Air India Flight AI-171 disaster to the Ministry of Civil Aviation together with other international aviation bodies, as reported by News Agency ANI. The report, submitted on July 8, 2025, sheds light on the early findings of the catastrophic June 12, 2025, accident in Ahmedabad that claimed the lives of over 260 people.
About the investigation of the crash
According to Asian News International (ANI), top government officials revealed that the preliminary report is based on the initial assessment and findings gathered in the early phase of the investigation by the bureau.
The Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR) — often called the aircraft’s “black boxes” — were recovered in the days following the crash. In a first, Indian investigators were able to extract critical data from both devices at the newly operational AAIB lab in Delhi. The memory module from the cockpit’s Crash Protection Module (CPM) was accessed on June 25, with data successfully downloaded and verified using a “golden chassis” — a matching unit used to test data integrity.
The investigation team include experts from various sectors, including the Indian Air Force, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), and the U.S.-based National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). In addition, officials from Boeing, GE, aviation medicine specialists, and Air Traffic Control experts are also taking part.
The investigation is conducted under the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and India’s Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules. Based on ICAO Annexe 13, an accident investigation preliminary report needed to be submitted within 30 days of the event, and the final report needed to be submitted within 12 months following completion of the investigation.
About the AI 171 crash
AI 171 was operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick with a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on Jun 12. There was a total of 242 people onboard, including 232 passengers and 12 crew.
The flight took off at 13:39 IST. Less than a minute after takeoff, the signal was lost. The flight crashed into a building of the BJ Medical College hostel in Ahmedabad.
241 people were confirmed killed in the crash later the same day. Only one passenger with a seat number 11A survived the tragedy.
The plan itself was 11 years old and usually flew between Mumbai and Dubai, and between the capital, New Delhi and European destinations.
The crashed plane completed over 700 flights last year.
The plane’s black boxes, the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR), were found and recovered a few days after at the crash site.
As families continue to mourn, they may find some solace in knowing the reason behind the catastrophic accident.
Could faster black box analysis help prevent future crashes? Leave your thoughts below.
Yet more reason to have video recorders in the cockpit
Can you please substantiate your assertion with rational, logical reasons? The EAFRs capture over 88 data parameters. What more do you think is worthwhile with a video?