New Delhi – Over a year after the Air India flight from London crashed in Ahmedabad, killing 260 passengers, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) appeared before the Supreme Court on Tuesday and stated that, despite the involvement of multiple international agencies, the investigative work could be wrapped up in roughly six weeks. However, the draft final report will not be ready until October 2026.

Investigation Timeline and Process

In an affidavit, AAIB explained that the scale, nature, and technical complexity of the accident demand a meticulous approach. Once pending external dependencies are resolved, the analysis phase will commence, after which a draft report will be shared with the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) – the authority representing the state of design and manufacture – for technical comments.

International Benchmarks

The bureau highlighted that its schedule mirrors international practice. For instance, investigations into Japan Airlines Flight 516 (January 2024) and Jeju Air Flight 2216 (December 2024) are still awaiting final reports. The NTSB itself took about a year to publish its findings on the January 29 2025 mid‑air collision over the Potomac River, and the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 investigation (March 2019) concluded only in 2022.

Multinational Impact

The tragedy involved 241 occupants and victims from several countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, and Portugal, adding layers of diplomatic coordination. AAIB noted that such multi‑jurisdictional incidents require close cooperation with counterpart agencies, ensuring that the final conclusions are comprehensive and globally relevant.

Next Steps

After the NTSB’s feedback, AAIB’s Director‑General will finalize the draft, submit it to the competent authority, and publish the report. The final document will address safety recommendations, policy reforms, and preventive measures aimed at averting similar catastrophes in the future.