Relative of AI-171 Pilot Summoned in Crash Probe, Federation Cries Foul
Pilots' body objects to summoning relative of AI-171 crash captain, alleging biased narrative in probe.
The investigation into the deadly Air India Flight AI-171 crash has triggered fresh controversy after the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) summoned Captain Varun Anand, a pilot related to the late Captain Sumeet Sabharwal. Air India officially informed Captain Anand of the summons, prompting strong objections from the Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP).
The pilots’ body has sent a legal notice to the AAIB, questioning the rationale behind summoning Captain Anand. According to the Federation, he had no operational, technical, or planning role in Flight AI-171 and was neither present at the crash site nor involved in the flight’s execution in any capacity.
FIP alleged that Captain Anand was summoned solely due to his family relationship with Captain Sabharwal, who was piloting the aircraft at the time of the crash. The organization warned that this raises concerns of a preconceived narrative aimed at attributing responsibility to the deceased flight crew, who are unable to defend themselves.
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Citing International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) rules, the Federation stated that calling relatives of deceased crew members as part of an investigation is unlawful. While objecting to the summons, it added that Captain Anand remains willing to cooperate through video conferencing to ensure transparency.
Air India Flight 171, en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed seconds after take-off on June 12, killing 260 people, including 12 crew members and 229 passengers. The aircraft also struck a medical college hostel, killing 19 people on the ground, with only one passenger surviving the tragedy.
A preliminary AAIB report released a month later cited cockpit audio suggesting a possible pilot-related issue, sparking widespread debate. Captain Sabharwal’s family and the Federation challenged the findings in the Supreme Court, which termed the emerging narrative “unfortunate.” Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has urged patience, assuring that the investigation is fair and that conclusions should await the final report.
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