Air India Crash: Late Capt Sabharwal’s Pilot Nephew Summoned For Probe; Pilots Body Slams AAIB

Last Updated:January 15, 2026, 12:44 IST

The FIP referred to International Civil Aviation Organization rules, saying it is unlawful to call family members as part of an accident investigation.

On June 12, the London Gatwick-bound Boeing 787-8 aircraft crashed soon after taking off from the Ahmedabad airport. (PTI)

The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has sent a legal notice to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) after it summoned Captain Varun Anand in connection with the Air India 171 crash probe. As per reports, Air India informed Captain Anand that the AAIB had asked him to appear before the investigators.

The pilots’ body said Captain Anand has no connection to the crashed flight. It stated that he was not involved in flight planning, was not present at the crash site, and is neither a factual, technical nor expert witness. The accident claimed 260 lives.

According to the FIP, Captain Anand was summoned only because he is related to Captain Sumit Sabharwal, the pilot in command of the ill-fated flight. The federation said this raised concerns that investigators may be trying to shift responsibility onto the deceased flight crew.

The FIP referred to International Civil Aviation Organization rules, saying it is unlawful to call family members as part of an accident investigation. It also said the summons did not explain the legal basis, purpose or relevance, or the capacity in which Captain Anand was called.

Captain Anand, a serving Air India pilot and FIP member, was asked to appear on January 15. The federation called the move unwarranted and said it caused distress and professional harm. However, Captain Anand has agreed to appear through video conferencing.

The probe relates to the June 12 crash of a London-bound Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad. The aircraft hit a hostel complex, killing 241 of 242 passengers, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. The AAIB continues to investigate the cause.

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