The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has informed the Supreme Court that cockpit recordings from the June 2025 Air India crash cannot be public. The bureau cited international safety rules to maintain confidentiality. The final investigation report is expected by October 2026.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has submitted an affidavit to the Supreme Court, firmly opposing the public disclosure of sensitive data related to the June 12, 2025, Air India AI171 accident. This incident, which resulted in the loss of 260 lives, has prompted legal petitions from the Federation of Indian Pilots and the family of the pilot, both seeking a court-monitored, transparent investigation to ensure accountability.
Confidentiality Rules and International Standards
The AAIB cited an absolute statutory prohibition under the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2025, to justify keeping cockpit voice recordings and other technical data confidential. The bureau explained that its investigative framework is guided by the Chicago Convention and Annex 13 of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). These global standards require the cooperation of multiple nations—including those involved in the aircraft's design, manufacture, and registration—rather than treating the probe as a purely domestic legal matter.
According to the AAIB, the primary purpose of these international investigative protocols is to improve aviation safety by identifying technical or human factors without the pressure of assigning immediate civil or criminal blame. The bureau warned that disclosing raw voice recordings or air traffic control communications could hinder the integrity of ongoing safety analyses and potentially discourage open cooperation in future incident investigations.
Investigation Timeline and Next Steps
Regarding the progress of the inquiry, the AAIB indicated that its core investigative activities are nearing completion. The bureau expects to finalize its work within the next six weeks, with the draft of the final report scheduled for release by October 2026.
For investors and stakeholders in the aviation sector, the court's upcoming response to these petitions remains an important monitorable. While the current focus is on legal and safety-related confidentiality, the eventual findings could have implications for airline operating procedures, insurance liability, and safety compliance standards. The Supreme Court is expected to weigh the constitutional rights of the petitioners seeking transparency against the bureau’s argument that strict adherence to international safety protocols is necessary to prevent future aviation incidents.