The father of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who piloted the ill-fated Air India flight that crashed in June, has raised concerns over the conduct of India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). Pushkar Raj Sabharwal, aged 91, reported that AAIB officials visited him on August 30, ostensibly to offer condolences, but instead implicated his son by suggesting he cut off fuel to the plane’s engines just after takeoff. The crash of Air India flight 171, which happened shortly after departing Ahmedabad, resulted in the deaths of 241 on board and 19 on the ground.
Despite a preliminary AAIB report indicating that the aircraft’s fuel engine switches were moved from “run” to “cutoff,” the family and others suggest a potential bias in interpreting the cockpit voice recorder data. Pushkar, in his complaint, criticized the selective release of information by the investigation, which he feels has led to unwarranted speculation about his son’s alleged actions.
The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has condemned the AAIB’s approach in handling the investigation, arguing that officials overstepped by confronting the grieving family. FIP President Captain C.S. Randhawa expressed that the situation should be handled with the utmost professionalism, akin to judicial proceedings, rather than through informal visits to victims’ residences.
This tragic event, among the deadliest in recent Indian aviation history, has prompted wider discussions about safety protocols in the airline industry. Previous reports had highlighted confusion in the cockpit and concerns over the functionality of the engine fuel cutoff switches, raising questions about potential mechanical failures or misinterpretations of pilot actions. Additionally, there have been calls for stricter safety inspections and enhanced aviation safety measures.
Amid ongoing investigations, the hope remains that clarity, fairness, and professionalism will guide the outcomes, leading to better safety measures and ensuring such tragedies do not recur. The dialogue around aviation safety continues to underscore the need for improved protocols and systems to ensure passenger safety in the skies.