On Tuesday, India’s civil aviation minister dismissed allegations of “manipulation” in the official probe into the June crash of an Air India Dreamliner. The remarks came after the captain’s father, Pushkar Raj Sabharwal, raised concerns about the investigators’ actions. Sabharwal had complained to a pilots’ union that investigators visited his home and suggested his son deliberately cut fuel to the engines post-takeoff.
Air India flight 171 tragically crashed shortly after departing from Ahmedabad in June, claiming 260 lives.
Sabharwal, 91, emailed the Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) alleging “selective” information release by investigators, fueling speculation about his late son, Captain Sumeet Sabharwal’s actions.
MINISTER DEFENDS INVESTIGATION INTEGRITY
“There is no manipulation or misconduct in the investigation,” stated Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu to India Today.
“Our process is transparent and thorough, adhering to established rules, and we are committed to maintaining this integrity,” he assured when questioned about Sabharwal’s concerns. A preliminary report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) indicated simultaneous flipping of fuel engine switches from run to cutoff post-takeoff. A source informed Reuters in July that U.S. officials’ preliminary evidence suggested the cockpit dialogue supported the theory that Captain Sabharwal cut the fuel flow.
Sabharwal did not immediately reply to a comment request. Previously, he mentioned in a letter to FIP that AAIB officials visited him on August 30 “under the guise of offering condolences,” implying his son altered the fuel switches.
“The interaction heightened his (Sabharwal’s) suspicion of a deliberate attempt to blame the deceased pilot,” FIP stated to Reuters on Tuesday, noting AAIB’s inquiries into Sabharwal’s son’s mental health.
In August, Sabharwal penned a separate letter to the ministry urging the government to launch an additional investigation into the crash. Concurrently, India’s Supreme Court directed the government to respond to a plea for an independent probe. Reuters reported that India requested more details from Boeing after an emergency power system unexpectedly activated on another Air India 787 Dreamliner on Saturday.
