Pushkaraj Sabharwal, the 91-year-old father of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, one of the pilots of the Air India Flight AI171 that crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad on June 12, is urging the government to order a formal inquiry into the accident. He alleges that selective leaks from the preliminary investigation have unfairly tarnished his son's reputation.
In a letter addressed to the secretary of the civil aviation ministry and the head of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), Pushkaraj Sabharwal stated that the investigation has been limited to a preliminary inquiry under Rule 9 of the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2017. He is calling for authorities to invoke Rule 12, which provides for a formal court-like investigation with independent assessors.
Pushkaraj Sabharwal believes that "selective leaks" have fueled false speculation about his son's mental state, thereby tarnishing his reputation despite an unblemished 25-year flying career. He highlights that his son had not had a single incident or accident causing fatalities in over 25 years of flying. The letter, dated August 29, states that these innuendos have adversely affected his health, mental state, and the reputation of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, which he considers a fundamental right guaranteed to a citizen of India under Article 21 of the Constitution.
The preliminary report, released around 1:30 am on July 13, appeared to clear both the aircraft manufacturer Boeing and the engine maker GE of any technical lapse. It indicated that the fuel switches of both engines moved to the off position after take-off, resulting in the crash. The report also reproduced a fragment of the conversation between the two pilots, where one asked the other why he had moved the switches to the off position, and the other responded that he had not. It was later revealed that co-pilot Clive Kunder was the one who asked Captain Sabharwal about the switches.
Pushkaraj Sabharwal contends that the preliminary report does not allude to what happened or the bare facts of the crash, instead resorting to insinuations while offering clean chits to the manufacturers. He deems the report deficient, diversionary, and discrepant. He also raises concerns about the selective release of information from the preliminary investigation, including the contents of the cockpit voice recorder, into the public domain.
Several media reports have blamed the pilots and attributed various motives to them. These reports suggested that Captain Sabharwal's divorce caused him anxiety and depression, and also speculated that his mother's death was a factor. Pushkaraj Sabharwal refutes these speculations, stating that his son was divorced about 15 years ago and his mother passed away more than three years ago, after which Captain Sabharwal operated more than 100 flights without any incident.
Pushkaraj Sabharwal has requested the constitution of an independent investigation panel comprising a retired Supreme Court judge, aeronautical and engineering experts, and a representative of Air India's pilot body or his nominee to ensure transparency. He emphasizes that the absence of a formal inquiry conducted in accordance with Rule 12, coupled with the selective information provided to the media, is detrimental to him and affects his fundamental rights, including his deceased son's right to reputation.
Amid speculations about the cause of the crash, the AAIB asserted that it was too early to draw any definite conclusions and that the final report would come out with the root causes. They also urged everyone to refrain from spreading premature narratives. The Airline Pilots' Association of India has also rejected the investigation report's insinuation that pilot error could be behind the crash and called for a fair, fact-based inquiry.
