Air India crash: AAIB probe shields Boeing, maligns son's image, says late pilot's father

Sabharwal, in a letter to the ministry of civil aviation, accused the authorities of selective leaks and media speculation that tarnished the reputation of his son

Pushkaraj Sabharwal, the father of late Air India Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, has asked for a formal investigation by the civil aviation ministry and the directorate general of Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) into the crash of the London-bound AI171 flight from Ahmedabad.

Sabharwal, in a letter to the ministry, accused the authorities of selective leaks and media speculation that tarnished the reputation of his son. He also alleged that the preliminary probe, which was submitted on July 12, was “deficient, diversionary & discrepant”, failing to clearly outline the facts of the crash while appearing to shield the aircraft manufacturer Boeing and engine maker General Electric.

Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8, crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad while en route to London Gatwick, killing 241 people, including 230 passengers, 12 crew members, and several people on the ground. Only one passenger survived.

"The preliminary report does not allude to 'what' happened... instead resorting to insinuations on the one hand and offering copious clean chits to the manufacturer/s on the other," the letter said.

Sabharwal took strong objection to media reports suggesting that Captain Sumeet Sabharwal was under psychological stress and may have intentionally caused the crash. He described such insinuations, some of which cited his son's divorce 15 years ago and his mother's death three years ago, as "baseless and defamatory".

"These innuendos have very adversely affected my health and mental setup, and the reputation of Capt. Sumeet Sabharwal," he wrote, emphasising that his son had over 25 years of spotless flying experience, with more than 15,600 flight hours, including 8,596 on the Boeing 787. He was also a designated Line Training Captain licensed by the DGCA.

Citing provisions of the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2017, Sabharwal urged the government to order a formal investigation under Rule 12, which would require appointing a competent court with assessors, including a retired Supreme Court judge and technical experts.

He also requested representation for pilots, either from Air India's pilot union (ALPA-India) or a nominee of the deceased pilot's family, to ensure impartiality.

He further warned that unless his requests were met within seven days, he would be "left with no option but to approach the Hon'ble Courts for protection of my fundamental rights and for the safety of the general travelling public."

With ANI inputs