The first official insight into the fatal crash of Air India Flight AI171 is expected next week, with investigators preparing a concise, four to five-page preliminary report, according to CNBC reports citing unknown sources.

According to sources close to the probe, the document will not assign blame but will aim to construct a minute-by-minute timeline of the flight's final moments, marking the first time investigators will publicly reveal what happened inside the cockpit and on the ground.

The report is set to include critical data points such as cockpit voice recordings, pilot actions, system performance, weather conditions, and air traffic control communications. This initial release, due within 7 to 10 days, is expected to give aviation experts, regulators, and the public their first clear narrative of the 10-minute window that led to the crash from take-off at Ahmedabad to the devastating descent that killed 260 people on June 12, 2025.

While it stops short of assigning culpability, the report will establish a factual foundation for deeper technical investigations. Analysts believe that this timeline will be crucial in identifying whether the crew faced a sudden mechanical failure, made operational missteps, or encountered compromised ground control support. The inclusion of verified cockpit conversation transcripts is particularly significant, as they may reveal the situational awareness, response attempts, or any confusion experienced by the crew in real time.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India is leading the effort, with support from US and Boeing technical advisors. This is also the first time India’s own lab is processing black box data without sending it abroad, signalling growing domestic capabilities in aviation accident forensics. As families of victims await clarity, the upcoming report is expected to shift public discourse from speculation to fact, and may lay the groundwork for both operational reforms and accountability in India's fast-growing but strained aviation sector.