The father of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, one of the pilots killed in last year’s Air India Flight 171 crash, has said he will continue to defend his son’s reputation as investigators prepare to release a fresh update on the probe.
Pushkar Raj Sabharwal, who is in his 90s and is a retired aviation safety officer, said his son is no longer alive to defend himself, making it his responsibility to protect his name.
“He is no more, but I have to protect his reputation,” he told the BBC.
Air India Flight 171 Crash Still Under Investigation
Air India Flight 171, a London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner, crashed seconds after taking off from Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025.
At least 260 people were killed in the disaster, including 241 passengers and crew members on board.
The exact cause of the crash remains unknown. Families of the victims, aviation experts and relatives of the pilots are now waiting for the next update from investigators.
Preliminary Report Mentioned Fuel Control Switches
A preliminary report released by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau in July last year stated that the fuel control switches for both engines had moved from the “run” position to the “cut-off” position shortly after take-off.
This cut off fuel supply to the engines.
The cockpit audio reportedly captured one pilot asking the other why he had “cut-off,” while the other replied that he had not. However, investigators did not identify which pilot made either statement.
At the time of take-off, co-pilot Clive Kunder was flying the aircraft, while Captain Sabharwal was monitoring. The preliminary report did not link either pilot to intentional action.
Media Reports Sparked Backlash
After the preliminary report was released, some international media reports suggested that the investigation was shifting attention toward Captain Sabharwal, the senior pilot in the cockpit.
These reports were strongly criticised by pilots’ associations in India, which rejected suggestions that the senior pilot had caused the crash.
The AAIB also criticised what it called selective and unverified reporting. It said drawing conclusions before the investigation was complete was irresponsible.
Supreme Court Said No One Could Blame Pilot
Captain Sabharwal’s father later approached India’s Supreme Court seeking an independent investigation into all possible causes of the crash.
The court observed that “nobody can blame” the senior pilot and that there was “no suggestion of his fault in the initial report.”
For the family, however, the speculation has been painful.
Pushkar Raj said pilots are often blamed after accidents because it becomes the simplest way to close the chapter. He said his son is no longer alive to defend himself.
A Veteran Pilot With Decades of Experience
Captain Sumeet Sabharwal was a senior Air India pilot with nearly three decades of flying experience.
He had logged more than 15,600 flying hours, including around 8,600 hours on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
His father described him as kind, soft-spoken and deeply devoted to his family. Captain Sabharwal lived with his father in Mumbai and was reportedly planning to retire soon so he could spend more time caring for him.
On the day of the crash, he had told his father that he was boarding the aircraft and would call from Gatwick.
A short while later, the tragedy unfolded.
Family Still Coping With Unbearable Loss
Pushkar Raj said the loss remains unbearable, but family members have supported him through the difficult months since the crash.
His daughter and grandson moved from Delhi to Mumbai to live with him and care for him.
He said he now finds comfort in routine, including occasional morning walks. Those walks remind him of his son, who would accompany him whenever he was in Mumbai.
Aviation Community Awaits Next Findings
Nearly a year after the crash, the next update from investigators is being closely watched.
The case remains one of India’s most sensitive aviation investigations, not only because of the scale of the tragedy but also because of the speculation surrounding the cockpit sequence.
Any final conclusion will depend on verified technical findings, cockpit data, aircraft systems analysis and official investigation records.
Why Independent Review Matters in High-Stakes Cases
Aviation accidents, like major financial or corporate failures, require careful investigation, verified evidence and independent review before responsibility is assigned.
Premature conclusions can harm reputations and weaken public trust. In business as well, transparent checks and independent assessments are essential. Professional auditing services in india can help organisations strengthen accountability, review internal processes and ensure decisions are based on verified records rather than assumptions.
Shunyatax Global Insight
At Shunyatax Global, we believe accountability must always be built on facts, evidence and due process. The Air India crash investigation is a reminder that reputations, families and public confidence can be deeply affected when conclusions are drawn before official findings are complete.
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