AI171 pilot’s father slams crash probe

The 91-year-old father of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, one of the two pilots of Air India Flight AI 171 that crashed soon after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12, has urged the government to order a formal inquiry into the accident, alleging that selective leaks from the preliminary investigation have unfairly tarnished his son's reputation.

- Neha LM Tripathi

In a letter to the secretary of civil aviation ministry and the head of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), Pushkaraj Sabharwal said that the investigation so far has been limited to a preliminary inquiry under Rule 9 of the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2017. He called upon authorities to invoke Rule 12, which provides for a formal court-like investigation with independent assessors.

He added that "selective leaks" have fuelled false speculation about his son's mental state, tarnishing his reputation despite an unblemished 25-year flying career.