New Delhi, July 15: The Supreme Court held a hearing regarding the plane crash in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. During the proceedings, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) opposed the public release of the cockpit voice recordings related to Air India Flight AI-171. The bureau stated that under the law governing aircraft accident investigations, only the AAIB has the authority to investigate such incidents, and disclosing protected materials is not permitted.
The AAIB informed the Supreme Court that it expects Air India to complete the investigation of the AI-171 crash and submit a final report by October 2026. According to the bureau, the investigation is being conducted under the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2025, and the standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The aim is to prevent such accidents in the future and enhance aviation safety.
In its affidavit, the AAIB referenced Rule 17, stating that materials such as witness statements, conversations among aviation personnel, medical and personal information, cockpit voice recordings and their transcripts, air traffic control recordings, cockpit image recordings, and opinions of investigation officials cannot be made public. Disclosure is only possible if the central government decides it is necessary for public interest, despite any potential impact on the investigation or future inquiries.
The bureau also noted that the petitioners’ request to provide the cockpit voice recordings to an external committee contradicts the existing legal framework. The affidavit stated, “The 2025 regulations include essential provisions to maintain the confidentiality and integrity of investigative materials. Rule 17(5) clearly states that the audio content of cockpit voice recordings cannot be made public. This is a statutory restriction.”
The AAIB emphasized that these provisions ensure witnesses can cooperate in the investigation without fear or pressure, allowing investigators to conduct safety inquiries independently. The bureau clarified that the decision to disclose protected materials rests solely with the central government, and no such decision has been made in the current case.
The affidavit further stated, “These safety provisions are crucial as they preserve the candor of witnesses, the independence of investigators, and the fairness of the ‘no-blame’ investigation process. If witnesses fear their statements may be made public, they may hesitate to cooperate fully, undermining the primary goal of safety investigations.”
The AAIB argued that the legal framework for investigating aviation accidents is comprehensive and does not allow for the court to order a parallel investigation. The bureau has requested the Supreme Court to dismiss this writ petition.
This affidavit was filed in response to a petition that the Supreme Court had heard in February this year, during which it sought details from the AAIB regarding the progress of the investigation and the procedures being followed. At that time, the central government informed the court that the investigation is being conducted in accordance with India’s international commitments, aiming to identify the causes of the accident rather than assign blame.
The petition was filed by the Safety Matters Foundation, which seeks a court-monitored investigation into the Air India AI-171 crash. The petitioners argue that international standards for aviation accident investigations require a high-level inquiry in cases involving significant loss of life. They also questioned the composition of the AAIB investigation team, noting that several members are from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which is also under scrutiny in this incident.
It is noteworthy that Air India Flight AI-171 crashed shortly after takeoff for London Gatwick on June 12, 2025, colliding with a medical hostel complex in Ahmedabad’s Meghani Nagar area. Approximately 260 lives were lost, including passengers, crew members, and individuals on the ground.
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