India, May 20 -- Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu on Wednesday said the investigation into the Air India AI-171 plane crash has reached its final stages and the report is expected to be released soon.

Speaking in Ranchi, the minister stressed that the inquiry is being conducted in a transparent, fair and accountable manner due to the international nature of the flight involved in the incident.

The AI-171 crash took place on June 12 last year when the Air India Boeing 787-8 aircraft crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The tragedy claimed 260 lives, including passengers, crew members and people on the ground.

Kinjarapu stated that the investigation is open...