Particle.news
Download on the App Store
12 ARTICLES
·
57m ago

Pilots’ Federation Challenges AAIB Summons of Deceased Captain’s Nephew in AI-171 Crash Probe

The clash turns on competing interpretations of ICAO standards and India’s 2025 investigation rules.

Image
A London-bound Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff in Ahmedabad, killing 241 onboard.
Can Call Anyone: Air India Crash Probe Body Defends Summoning of Late Captain’s Nephew | Image: ANI
Image

Overview

  • The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau asked Capt. Varun Anand, nephew of the late Capt. Sumeet Sabharwal, to appear on January 15 in the Ahmedabad Dreamliner crash inquiry.
  • The Federation of Indian Pilots sent a January 11 legal notice calling the summons harassment and a violation of the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules and ICAO Annex 13.
  • The pilots’ body says Anand has no factual or technical link to the accident and is neither a factual, technical, nor expert witness.
  • Anand has agreed to cooperate and will appear via video conference to answer investigators’ questions.
  • AAIB says investigators are empowered under the 2025 rules to examine any relevant witness, while the broader probe continues after a preliminary July 2025 finding of human error related to fuel supply interruption and as a related writ petition by the pilot’s father remains before the Supreme Court.