The Federation of Indian Pilots has taken a strong stance against the Aircraft Accident Investigation Board. They have served a legal notice regarding the board's recent actions. The board summoned a nephew of the late Captain Sumeet Sabharwal. Captain Sabharwal was the pilot-in-command of Air India Flight 171.
Details of the Tragic Incident
Air India Flight 171 crashed seconds after take-off in Ahmedabad on June 12 last year. The crash resulted in the tragic loss of 260 lives. This number includes all crew members on board. The investigation into this disaster continues to unfold.
Questioning the Board's Approach
The Federation of Indian Pilots expressed clear concerns in their legal notice. They stated that the summoned nephew is also an Air India pilot. However, he had absolutely no role in AI 171. The FIP emphasized that he lacks any factual, technical, or operational knowledge of the crash.
Sources close to the matter provided further insight. They indicated that the board appears to be calling relatives primarily to gather personal details about the deceased captain. This approach has raised significant eyebrows within the aviation community.
Content of the Legal Notice
The legal notice outlines several critical points. It states that Air India informed the nephew of the summons. Yet, the company failed to disclose the statutory provision, purpose, or relevance of his required presence. The notice also highlights that his specific capacity for attendance was not clarified.
The notice firmly asserts the nephew's complete lack of association with key aspects of the flight. This includes the aircraft itself, flight planning, dispatch, operation, and maintenance. It also covers certification, airworthiness clearance, and crew composition. Furthermore, he was not present at the crash site when the tragedy occurred.
Core Argument Against the Summons
The legal document presents a powerful argument. It says the summoning of the deceased pilot's nephew and his relatives, despite a clear lack of nexus with the case, reinforces a troubling apprehension. The Federation believes such actions are not rooted in any lawful investigative necessity.
This move by the pilots' federation signals growing frustration with the investigation's direction. It underscores a demand for procedures that are strictly necessary, lawful, and respectful to the families involved.
