Air India crash report delayed as engine examination continues in US

The investigation into the deadly 2025 Air India 787 crash faces a significant delay, with investigators set to miss the one-year deadline for a final report. The holdup stems from an unfinished examination of the aircraft's engines, which is currently underway in the United States. This complex analysis requires specialized tools and facilities only available in a few global locations.

India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is expected to issue a status report detailing the reasons for the delay. While a final report is anticipated within three months, contingent on the completion of the engine studies, the extended timeline raises concerns. International aviation rules typically require a final report within a year, or an interim statement on each anniversary if the investigation is ongoing.

A preliminary report released last year pointed to a critical fuel starvation event shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025. Evidence, including cockpit voice recordings, suggested that the captain might have intentionally cut the fuel supply to both engines, leading to the crash that killed all 260 people aboard. This incident marked the world's deadliest air disaster in a decade.

The ongoing investigation is occurring at a sensitive time for Air India, which is undergoing a post-privatization turnaround already hampered by supply chain issues and geopolitical tensions. Meanwhile, the Federation of Indian Pilots has urged the AAIB not to release an interim report. They are advocating for further technical data from Boeing and Air India to challenge the preliminary findings and specifically to counter theories suggesting deliberate pilot action, such as suicide, which have been suspected in other fatal crashes.