The investigation into the Air India Flight AI-171 crash has entered its final phase, with the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) expected to submit its report after completing all required procedures, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said on Monday.
Providing an update on the inquiry, the minister said the investigation is being carried out under established national and international aviation protocols. He stressed that authorities will not bypass any procedural requirements while preparing the final findings.
According to Naidu, the probe remains a highly sensitive exercise and the final report will be released only after investigators complete every stage of the process.
A year after the AI-171 tragedy, the minister paid tribute to those who lost their lives in the accident and expressed condolences to their families.
The AI-171 crash continues to be among the most closely followed aviation investigations in India, with the final report expected to shed light on the circumstances and causes behind the accident.
As the investigation moves towards final phase, Air India has outlined several steps taken over the past year to strengthen safety standards, improve operational reliability and enhance employee welfare.
The airline said additional ground time following the accident allowed it to accelerate aircraft upgrade programmes aimed at improving reliability and minimising operational disruptions.
Air India stated that these initiatives form part of broader efforts to strengthen operational performance and maintain high safety standards across its fleet.
Authorities have reiterated that the final report will only be submitted after all investigation protocols have been fully complied with.
With the inquiry now nearing its conclusion, the government has maintained that transparency, accuracy and adherence to international standards remain the key priorities in determining the causes of the AI-171 crash and preventing similar incidents in the future.