Air India Flight 171 Final Report Due This Week Under ICAO Standards

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India faces a critical deadline this week to provide a final report or formal status update by June 12, 2026, marking the one-year anniversary of Air India Flight 171's crash. Under ICAO Annex 13 standards, investigating authorities must release a final report within 12 months or issue an interim statement detailing progress and safety findings.

Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed June 12, 2025, just 32 seconds after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. The scheduled passenger service to London Gatwick struck student hostels of Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College, killing 241 of 242 people aboard and at least 19 on the ground. The crash marks the first fatal accident for the Boeing 787 since its 2011 service entry and stands as the deadliest aviation incident of the 2020s.

A preliminary report released in July 2025 indicated both engines lost thrust after fuel control switches moved from "RUN" to "CUTOFF" approximately three seconds after liftoff. The AAIB found no mechanical fault with engines or fuel systems, with investigators suggesting the action was likely intentional by the captain. The International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations has called for caution in interpreting early data, urging due process before a full human factors analysis is completed. While Indian officials acknowledge the ICAO expectation for an anniversary update, they have not firmly committed to a precise June 12 release date.