India’s aircraft accident investigator has pushed back against reports suggesting its inquiry into the Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crash is complete. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) said the investigation is still ongoing and that no final conclusions have been reached.
Why the AAIB issued a public rebuttal
In a statement, the AAIB described claims that its probe had been finalised as “incorrect and speculative”. It stressed that work is still in progress.
The agency also urged news organisations to show restraint. It warned that unverified reporting can fuel public anxiety and undermine confidence in a professional investigation.
Air India crash probe triggered by an Italian report
The statement followed an article by the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera. The report alleged that one of the pilots of the Air India Boeing 787 switched off fuel controls in an act described as “almost certainly” intentional.
Without naming the outlet, the AAIB addressed the issue indirectly. It said its preliminary report released earlier only set out factual information available at that stage, and should not be treated as a final finding.
A preliminary report is an early update in an air crash investigation. It summarises known facts, but it does not assign blame or deliver final conclusions.
What is known about the AI-171 crash
Air India flight AI-171 was flying from Ahmedabad to London when it crashed seconds after take-off. The aircraft struck a medical college hostel.
The crash killed 260 people, including 241 who were on board the aircraft.
Supreme Court gives the government three weeks
The case has also reached India’s Supreme Court. On February 11, 2026, the court granted the central government three weeks to place on record the status of the Dreamliner crash probe.
A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi heard petitions calling for an independent, court-monitored investigation. One petition was filed by the father of Sumeet Sabharwal, the pilot-in-command of flight AI-171.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the government and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), told the court the AAIB probe was in its final stage. He added that certain aircraft components had been sent abroad for specialised testing.
The Supreme Court directed that the report be filed in a sealed cover, alongside an affidavit detailing the investigation protocol followed so far. It also cautioned against sweeping remarks about any aircraft model or airline without conclusive findings.
When the final report will be published
The AAIB said a final investigation report, including conclusions and safety recommendations, will be published once the inquiry is complete, in line with established international norms.
For now, the bureau’s message is clear: the investigation is not finished, and any reporting that presents definitive conclusions is premature.