NEW DELHI — Indian investigators are preparing an interim report rather than a final investigation into the fatal Air India (AI) Boeing 787 crash as the first anniversary of the accident approaches.
The June 12, 2025 disaster involving a London-bound Dreamliner from Ahmedabad Airport (AMD) remains the deadliest aviation accident in more than a decade, killing 260 people.
Officials involved in the investigation said the upcoming report from India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) will contain more detailed findings than the preliminary statement released last year.
The aircraft, operating a scheduled service to London Heathrow Airport (LHR), crashed shortly after takeoff after both engines reportedly lost fuel supply within moments of departure.
India Plans Interim Report
Investigators are still examining several technical and operational factors linked to the crash, according to sources familiar with the probe. The interim report is expected to discuss possible primary causes and contributing elements without reaching a final conclusion.
The AAIB’s earlier preliminary report indicated that the Boeing 787’s engine fuel control switches moved almost simultaneously shortly after takeoff, causing fuel starvation to both engines.
Cockpit voice recordings reviewed during the investigation reportedly captured discussions between the pilots regarding the sudden loss of engine power.
Officials said the investigation remains highly complex and requires additional time before a final report can be completed.
Under international aviation rules established by the International Civil Aviation Organization, authorities must release either a final report or an interim statement within one year of a major accident.
Fuel Switch is on Focus
The investigation has increasingly centered on the aircraft’s fuel switch system following another Air India Boeing 787 incident earlier this year.
During a February 2026 flight from London to Bengaluru, pilots reportedly observed irregular behavior involving the fuel switches during engine startup procedures.
According to reports, the switches failed to remain fixed in the “run” position during two startup attempts before stabilizing on a third attempt.
The crew later reported the issue after landing in India, prompting additional scrutiny from regulators and investigators.
India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation plans to send officials to Seattle in June to observe Boeing’s testing of the fuel switch systems. The visit comes as aviation authorities continue evaluating whether any technical irregularities could have contributed to the 2025 crash.
Boeing is participating in the investigation as a technical adviser because the 787 Dreamliner was designed and manufactured in the United States, ET flagged.
The US National Transportation Safety Board is also supporting the probe under international investigation protocols.
Global Investigation Rules
The decision to issue an interim report instead of a final document also changes the international consultation process tied to the investigation.
Draft final reports normally require review and comments from participating authorities, including the NTSB.
Interim statements, however, do not follow the same mandatory consultation procedures. Investigators can therefore release updated findings while continuing work on unresolved technical questions.
Aviation experts note that complex crash investigations frequently take several years to conclude.
The Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 MAX crash investigation, for example, released an interim report within a year but did not issue a final report until nearly four years after the accident.
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