India, June 11 -- The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is waiting on an engine analysis by GE Aerospace that has held up the final investigation report on the Air India AI-171 crash, with the probe body now expected to release an interim statement on the first anniversary of the disaster - fulfilling its obligation under international aviation conventions.

Three officials familiar with the matter told HT the engines recovered from the crashed Boeing 787 have been sent to GE Aerospace's facilities in Ohio for detailed examination, and the final report cannot be released before the analysis is completed.

The officials said the engines - burnt and damaged but largely intact - were dispatched "sometime back," without elaboratin...