AI171 crash: Pilot’s father, pilots’ federation move SC for probe

The father of the late Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and the Federation of Indian Pilots have approached the Supreme Court seeking a court-monitored, independent investigation into the catastrophic crash of Air India flight AI171 in Ahmedabad on June 12. The crash claimed 260 lives, including 229 passengers, 12 crew members, and 19 people on the ground.

Pushkaraj Sabharwal, 91, described the ongoing investigation as incomplete and biased, urging a “fair, transparent and technically robust” probe. The plea, filed through AP&J Chambers on October 10, names the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Board (AAIB) as respondents. It requests the constitution of an independent committee of aviation and technical experts headed by a retired Supreme Court judge. The case is expected to be heard after the Diwali vacation.

The AI171 crash occurred minutes after takeoff from Ahmedabad, with the Boeing 787-8 striking the BJ Medical College hostel less than a nautical mile from the runway. Debris was scattered across nearly 1,000 by 400 feet, and the Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) failed to activate. Both the pilot-in-command and co-pilot, Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and Captain Clive Kunder, lost their lives.

The plea criticises the preliminary AAIB report of July 12, 2025, for attributing the crash primarily to pilot error while overlooking possible systemic, technical, and design-related failures. “The inquiry team appears to have disproportionately focused on the deceased pilots, who can no longer defend themselves, and ignored plausible evidence of electrical, software, or design-level faults,” it says. According to the petition, this approach not only damages the reputation of the pilots but also undermines aviation safety and the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution.

The father highlighted Captain Sabharwal’s exemplary career spanning over 30 years with 15,638 incident-free flying hours, including 8,596 on Boeing 787-8 aircraft, without any prior lapses or accidents.

The petition further challenges the legality and impartiality of the five-member AAIB investigation team, noting that it is dominated by DGCA officers and state aviation authorities whose own oversight and procedures are under scrutiny. The plea argues that such an arrangement violates the principle of natural justice- nemo judex in causa sua , meaning no one should be a judge in their own cause. The involvement of Boeing and General Electric representatives in the probe is also cited as undermining credibility and impartiality.

Seeking judicial intervention, the petition requests that all previous investigations, including the preliminary report, be treated as closed and transferred to the proposed Judicially Monitored Committee or Court of Inquiry for a fresh, independent examination.

The Supreme Court had earlier, on September 22, raised concerns over pilot-related lapses highlighted in the AAIB preliminary report and issued notices to the Centre and DGCA regarding the need for an independent investigation. The latest plea strengthens calls for a credible probe, emphasizing that a flawed inquiry could endanger future passengers and compromise aviation safety standards in India.