Air India Crash Probe Nears End as AAIB Completes Psychological Autopsy and Cockpit Voice Transcript

Air India’s fatal crash investigation has entered its final analysis phase. India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau confirmed this in a court filing dated July 14, 2026. The AAIB has completed a cockpit voice recorder transcript and a psychological autopsy. The Boeing 787 crash killed 260 people after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025. 

A draft final report is now expected around October 2026. This update matters for Air India, Boeing, and India’s aviation regulatory framework.

What the AAIB Filing Reveals About Air India

The AAIB’s July 14 filing did not name whose psychological autopsy was conducted. It also withheld specific findings tied to the crash investigation. Analysis of engine monitoring data retrieved in late May 2026 remains unfinished. Investigators are still reviewing certain organizational factors within Air India’s operations. 

The bureau expects remaining work to finish within roughly six weeks.

• Investigators interviewed Air India 787 pilots and crew who flew with the flight’s pilots.
• Technical staff, air traffic controllers, and weather officials were also questioned.
• Human-factors specialists contributed to the ongoing organizational review.

Air India crash probe to be completed in 6 weeks; accident investigation body expected to submit report by October.

AAIB tells the Supreme Court that cockpit audio recordings cannot be made public.@SrishtiOjha11 joins @SuyeshaSavant with the latest updates.#AirIndia… pic.twitter.com/Pif2ae8PXn

— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) July 15, 2026

Legal Pressure Behind the Disclosure

A lawsuit from the captain’s father, Pushkar Raj Sabharwal, prompted these disclosures. He said AAIB officials implied his son had cut fuel flow after takeoff. That claim remains unconfirmed, and the AAIB called early conclusions premature. Public speculation reportedly made some witnesses “restrictive and non-responsive” during interviews. This legal action forced greater transparency into an otherwise closed investigation process.

Timeline for the Final Air India Report

The AAIB says its probe now sits firmly in the analysis phase. Findings will span operational, technical, human-factors, and organizational categories. A draft report should reach international aviation partners around October 2026. The US National Transportation Safety Board is among the parties set to review it. That review period precedes final publication of the completed Air India crash report.

• Draft findings circulate to participating countries before public release.
• The NTSB’s involvement reflects Boeing’s US manufacturing base and jurisdiction.
• Final publication could extend into early 2027, depending on review feedback.

Boeing’s Stake in the Outcome

Boeing manufactured the 787 Dreamliner involved in this Air India crash. The aircraft maker faces continued scrutiny over widebody safety systems. Reuters previously reported that US officials reviewed cockpit audio from the flight. That early assessment reportedly suggested fuel flow had been manually interrupted. Boeing’s reputation and regulatory relationships remain closely tied to this investigation’s conclusions.

Industry and Market Context

This Air India investigation arrives amid heightened global scrutiny of aviation safety protocols. Indian carriers, including IndiGo and Air India, operate under tightened regulatory oversight following the crash. Tata Group, which owns Air India, has faced reputational pressure since the accident. The airline has continued fleet operations while cooperating fully with AAIB investigators. Analysts say the final report could reshape maintenance and training standards industry-wide.

• Tata Sons owns Air India following its 2022 privatization from the Indian government.
• IndiGo remains India’s largest carrier by domestic market share.
• Boeing’s stock has faced periodic pressure tied to safety-related news cycles.

Final Thoughts

The Air India investigation is approaching a critical milestone after 13 months of work. Completion of the cockpit voice transcript and psychological autopsy marks real progress. Still, the AAIB has released no findings, keeping conclusions officially open. Analysts expect the October draft report to clarify technical and human-factors questions. 

Boeing, Tata Group, and Indian aviation regulators all have a stake in the outcome. Until publication, questions around this Air India crash remain unresolved and closely watched.

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