Particle.news
Download on the App Store

AAIB Defends Summons of Deceased Air India Pilot’s Nephew in AI-171 Crash Investigation

AAIB says 2025 investigation rules allow it to question anyone relevant, a stance the pilots’ federation challenges as unlawful under ICAO standards.

Overview

  • AAIB confirmed it issued a January 9 summons to Captain Varun Anand and rejected claims that calling him amounts to harassment.
  • The Federation of Indian Pilots sent a January 11 legal notice arguing Anand has no factual or technical link to the crash and citing ICAO Annex 13 limits.
  • Anand, an Air India pilot and nephew of late Capt. Sumeet Sabharwal, has agreed to cooperate and appear via video conference.
  • The late captain’s father has a writ petition before the Supreme Court contesting the investigation’s fairness and independence.
  • AAIB’s July 2025 preliminary report cited an interrupted fuel supply after takeoff; the final report is pending and expected by June 2026.