India Investigates Aircraft Accident With Cockpit Transcript and Psychological Autopsy

India’s aircraft accident investigation body has entered the final stages of its probe into an Air India crash after completing a cockpit voice recorder transcript and a psychological autopsy of the crew, according to a July 15, 2026, report from Reuters.

The investigation focuses on the final moments of the flight to determine the precise cause of the accident. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) utilized the cockpit voice recorder to reconstruct the communications and sounds within the flight deck prior to the impact.

To complement the technical data, investigators conducted a psychological autopsy. This process involves reviewing the mental state, personal history, and behavioral patterns of the crew members to identify any stressors or indicators of intentionality that might have contributed to the crash.

AAIB Analysis of Cockpit Data and Crew Mental Health

The AAIB’s move into the final stages of the probe indicates that the primary evidence-gathering phase is complete. By syncing the cockpit voice recorder transcript with flight data recorder information, investigators can map the crew’s verbal responses to the aircraft’s mechanical performance.

According to Reuters, the inclusion of a psychological autopsy suggests the investigation is examining human factors as a primary or contributing cause. This approach is standard in aviation probes where technical failures cannot fully explain a sudden change in flight path or a failure to follow emergency protocols.

Air India Investigation Status

The investigation is now shifting toward the synthesis of these findings to produce a final report. This report will detail the sequence of events and provide safety recommendations to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Air India has not issued a separate statement regarding the specific findings of the psychological autopsy or the transcript, as these details typically remain confidential until the AAIB releases the official final report.