Air India crash probe enters final stages after cockpit recorder, psychology reviews

India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is nearing the conclusion of its investigation into the fatal Air India crash that killed 260 people. The probe has progressed to its final stages, including the preparation of a cockpit voice recorder transcript and the completion of psychological autopsies.

Investigators have been meticulously gathering information, interviewing Air India 787 pilots, former crew members, technical staff, air traffic controllers, and human-factors specialists. The families of the flight crew were also approached early in the investigation.

However, the investigation faced challenges, including media speculation that attributed blame to the pilots. The AAIB noted that such narratives made some witnesses hesitant to cooperate. The probe is now in the analysis phase, with findings being drawn from operational, technical, human-factors, and organizational perspectives.

The AAIB anticipates completing the remaining investigative activities within approximately six weeks, contingent on external dependencies. A draft final report is expected around October, which will then be circulated to relevant countries for comments before its finalization and publication. Early assessments from US officials had suggested the cockpit recording supported the view that the captain cut the fuel flow to the engines.

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The AAIB said media speculation and narratives attributing blame to the pilots had caused some witnesses to become “restrictive and non-responsive”.