Overview
- The Federation of Indian Pilots served a legal notice objecting to the AAIB calling Captain Varun Anand to appear on January 15 in the AI‑171 probe.
- The notice says Anand was summoned solely due to his familial relationship, with no involvement in planning, operation, maintenance, or on‑scene knowledge.
- FIP cites India’s Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules and ICAO Annex 13 to argue the summons oversteps a fact‑finding mandate and risks prejudging the crew.
- Anand has agreed to cooperate and will appear via video conference, even as related challenges to the probe’s independence are pending before the Supreme Court.
- AAIB maintains investigators can call any relevant witness under the rules, while its July 2025 preliminary report pointed to an immediate post‑takeoff interruption of fuel supply to both engines.