AAIB India Completes Only 23% of Probes, 9 Reports Missing
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India's AAIB has completed only 23% of probes since 2023, with nine reports missing, hindering safety improvements and raising transparency concerns.
Key Takeaways
- •Shows only a 23% completion rate for 42 investigations between 2023 and 2025.
- •Fails to account for nine public investigation reports initiated since 2023.
- •Lags international standards, with only three interim reports filed for 32 pending cases.
- •Raises concerns that delayed findings hinder critical aviation safety improvements.
An analysis of official records reveals significant delays and a lack of transparency within India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), with the agency completing only 23 per cent of its probes in the last three years. Furthermore, public records for nine separate aviation incident investigations initiated since 2023 are reportedly missing, raising serious questions about procedural compliance and the effectiveness of the nation's air safety oversight.
The delays hinder the primary goal of accident investigation: to identify systemic safety flaws and prevent future occurrences. When findings are not published in a timely manner, critical safety lessons are not disseminated to airlines, manufacturers, and regulators, potentially leaving unaddressed risks within the aviation system. This issue undermines the no-blame, safety-first philosophy that underpins modern air accident investigation frameworks globally.
Investigation Backlog and Missing Reports
According to data reported by The Free Press Journal, the AAIB investigated a total of 42 cases between 2023 and 2025. Of these, 32 investigations remain pending. The annual breakdown shows 15 probes were initiated in 2023, 14 in 2024, and 13 in 2025. Since its establishment in 2012, the bureau has investigated 240 cases, comprising 112 accidents and 128 serious incidents.
The AAIB was formed under the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) to function as an independent body, separating investigative functions from the regulatory authority of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). This separation is designed to avoid conflicts of interest and align with international best practices.
However, the current backlog challenges its operational effectiveness. Under the standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Annex 13, investigators are expected to publish a preliminary report within 30 days and an interim report after 12 months if a final report is not complete. The analysis indicates the AAIB has filed only three interim reports for the 32 pending cases, a significant deviation from international norms.
Global Context and Expert Concerns
The issue of delayed accident reports is not unique to India. According to IATA, 43% of global accident investigations between 2018 and 2023 failed to result in a published final report, a trend that weakens the global safety net. The primary purpose of these investigations is not to apportion blame but to determine probable cause to enhance safety.
Industry experts emphasize the importance of timely and transparent reporting. Mark Searle, IATA's Director of Safety, has previously stated, "The report of the investigators is the only word that matters...it provides the official word on the direction of the investigation." Without official reports from bodies like the AAIB, the industry is left with speculation, which does not support structured safety improvements.
What Comes Next
The findings place pressure on the MoCA and the AAIB to address the backlog and account for the missing reports. The bureau is expected to provide clarification on its processes and a timeline for completing the numerous pending investigations. Without corrective action, India's aviation safety framework could face increased scrutiny from international bodies like ICAO, which monitors member states' compliance with global standards. The timely completion and publication of these reports are crucial for maintaining confidence in the country's rapidly growing aviation sector.
Why This Matters
In my view, this is more than a story about bureaucratic delays; it strikes at the heart of aviation's safety culture. The core principle of a 'no-blame' investigation is a pact: in exchange for full cooperation, the industry receives timely, actionable intelligence to prevent a recurrence. When reports are delayed or go missing, that pact is broken. It means potential systemic flaws remain unaddressed, and the lessons paid for in damaged aircraft and, tragically, sometimes in lives, are not learned. For a fast-growing aviation market like India, maintaining a robust and transparent investigative process is not optional—it is fundamental to safe skies.
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Written by Ujjwal Sukhwani
Aviation News Editor & Industry Analyst delivering clear coverage for a worldwide audience. Covers flight operations, safety regulations, and market trends with expert analysis.
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