Pilots’ Body Sends Legal Notice to AAIB Over Summons in Air India 171 Crash Probe

The investigation into the deadly crash of Air India flight 171 has entered a contentious phase, with the Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) issuing a legal notice to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) over what it describes as troubling investigative conduct. The pilots' body has objected to the bureau's decision to summon Captain Varun Anand, a relative of deceased commander Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, questioning both the purpose and legality of the move.

Air India 171, operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on June 12, crashed moments after take-off, striking a medical college hostel. The disaster claimed the lives of 260 people - including 229 passengers, 12 crew members and 19 individuals on the ground - with only one passenger surviving.

Tensions escalated after the AAIB released a preliminary report a month later, which included excerpts from cockpit voice recordings. The brief exchange cited in the report triggered widespread speculation that cockpit actions may have contributed to the crash. That narrative was strongly contested by the pilot's family and professional bodies, who argued that the findings were incomplete and unfairly framed.

Captain Sabharwal's father, Pushkaraj Sabharwal, along with the Federation of Indian Pilots, approached the Supreme Court, alleging that investigators were focusing disproportionately on the deceased flight crew while overlooking other technical or systemic factors. The apex court itself remarked that singling out pilots who can no longer defend themselves was "unfortunate".

The controversy deepened when Captain Varun Anand was informed that the AAIB wanted to question him. The Federation said the bureau failed to clarify why Anand's testimony was required, noting that he had no operational, technical or investigative connection to the flight. He was neither part of the planning, nor present on board, nor involved in the aftermath at the crash site.

According to the pilots' body, the only apparent link is Anand's familial relationship with Captain Sabharwal - a basis it argues violates International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) norms governing independent and non-punitive air accident investigations. The Federation maintains that summoning family members in safety probes risks turning technical inquiries into blame-driven exercises.

While objecting to the process, the Federation said Captain Anand remains willing to cooperate legally, including through video conferencing, should the bureau justify the summons within established rules.

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has defended the investigation, insisting there has been no manipulation and urging patience until the final report is released. Until then, the legal notice, court proceedings and objections from the pilot community have placed the credibility and transparency of the Air India 171 crash probe under intense scrutiny.