FIP challenges AAIB over summons of AI-171 pilot’s nephew in Ahmedabad crash probe
FIP challenges AAIB over summons of AI-171 pilot’s nephew in Ahmedabad crash probe
Pilot body contends the summons of a relative in the AI-171 investigation is improper, fueling tensions in the Ahmedabad crash probe.
The Federation of Indian Pilots has served a legal notice to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau over the summons of Captain Varun Anand, nephew of the late Sabharwal, in the AI-171 crash probe. Anand, a captain with Air India and a member of FIP, is said to have been summoned in connection with the investigation, a move the pilots' group argues is improper because Anand is not a factual, technical or expert witness.
The crash occurred on June 12, 2025, when the ill-fated Boeing 787-8 AI171 crashed into a medical hostel complex after takeoff from Ahmedabad for London Gatwick, killing 260 people, including 241 onboard. Sabharwal was one of the pilots on that flight. The FIP emphasises that Captain Varun Anand is neither a factual witness nor a technical or expert witness, and that the summons appear to rest on his familial relationship, which they say renders the move impermissible in law.
The AAIB responded by reiterating that, under the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules 2025, the investigator has the power to call and examine any witness relevant to the investigation and can require such a witness to furnish information or answer inquiries. In parallel, the Supreme Court has underscored that air crash investigations are aimed at finding the cause, not apportioning blame.
The legal notice dated January 11, 2026, followed by an AAIB statement on January 15, 2026, highlighted the dispute: the summons, the relevance of a relative in the inquiry, and the broader implications for how witnesses are approached in high-profile aviation cases. The issue underscores ongoing tensions between ensuring thorough evidence collection and upholding fairness in the probe.
As the AI-171 investigation continues, advocates say transparency and adherence to established procedures will be crucial to maintaining public trust in aviation safety.
