Pushkaraj Sabharwal, father of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal who was one of many pilots of the Air India Dreamliner, has demanded a ‘formal investigation’ by the central authorities. File | Photo Credit: The Hindu
In one of many worst plane accidents in India, a complete of 260 folks, together with 241 passengers, died after Air India’s Boeing 787-8 plane working flight AI171 to London Gatwick crashed quickly after take off from Ahmedabad on June 12.
In a letter to the civil aviation secretary and AAIB Director General, 91-year-old Pushkaraj stated that selective leaks concerning the accident have led to hypothesis that Sumeet (56) was below great psychological strain and subsequently was considering dying.
“These innuendos have very adversely affected my health and mental setup and the reputation of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal. They tarnish Captain Sabharwal’s reputation, which is a fundamental right guaranteed to a citizen of India under Article 21 of the Constitution of India,” the letter, dated August 29, stated.
Pushkaraj has demanded that the central authorities order a proper enquiry into the accident below Rule 12 of the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2017.
Under Rule 12, the central authorities can institute a proper investigation into circumstances of any accident of an Indian registered plane if it seems that it’s expedient to carry such a probe.
There had been no instant feedback from the Civil Aviation Ministry and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on the letter.
Amid speculations about the reason for the deadly crash after the discharge of its preliminary probe report on July 12, AAIB had asserted that it was too early to attract any “definite conclusions” on what led to the accident because the investigation was nonetheless on and that the ultimate report will come out with the basis causes. The probe company had additionally urged everybody to chorus from spreading untimely narratives.
“The preliminary report on the contrary does not allude to the ‘what’ happened or the bare facts of the crash, instead resorting to insinuations on the one hand and offering copious clean chits to the manufacturer/s on the other. The report in its present form is deficient, diversionary & discrepant,” the letter stated.
It additionally claimed that selective data of the preliminary investigation has been put out within the public area and the fabric gathered throughout such investigation has been launched which embody the contents of the cockpit voice recorder.
Pushkaraj additionally refuted speculations concerning the psychological well being of his son.
Citing experiences, he stated it was recommended that Sumeet was divorced and that brought about him nervousness and melancholy.
“It even ignores the truth that Captain Sabharwal was divorced about 15 years in the past. The different hypothesis referring to the trigger for Captain Sabharwal being desirous of committing suicide has been his mom’s dying. His mom died greater than three years in the past. After that, Captain Sabharwal had operated greater than 100 flights with none incident or accident.
“It is most pertinent to note that in over 25 years of flying, Captain Sabharwal had not had a single incident or accident-causing fatalities or otherwise,” the letter stated.
He had nearly 15,638.22 hours of flying expertise out of which 8,596 hours had been on the 787-8 plane. He was additionally designated as a Pilot Trainer i.e a Line Training Captain and had the DGCA licence for the aim.
Pushkaraj additionally stated that the absence of a proper enquiry performed in accordance with Rule 12 coupled with the selective data being offered to the media could be very disturbing/detrimental to him and impacts his elementary rights, together with the suitable to repute of his deceased son.
Under Rule 12 of the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2017, the central authorities can institute a proper investigation into circumstances of any accident of an Indian registered plane if it seems that it’s expedient to carry such a probe. This will probably be along with the AAIB probe.
In the preliminary report, AAIB had stated the gas provide to each engines of the airplane was minimize off inside a spot of 1 second, inflicting confusion within the cockpit quickly after takeoff. “In the cockpit voice recording, one of the pilots is heard asking the other why did he cut off. The other pilot responded that he did not do so,” it had stated.
Published – September 18, 2025 07:26 am IST
