Archive · 16 Jan 2026
Pilots' Union Challenges AAIB Summon in Air India Crash Probe
Air India flight 171 crashed on June 12, 2025, killing 260 people.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is looking into what happened.
They asked Captain Varun Anand, who is the nephew of the pilot of the crashed plane, to come and talk to them.
The pilots' group, called the Federation of Indian Pilots, thinks this is unfair because Captain Anand wasn't involved in the flight or the crash.
They say the investigators might already have decided what happened and are trying to blame the pilots who can't defend themselves.
The Federation sent a legal notice to the investigation bureau, saying they shouldn't be asking family members of the pilots questions.
The investigation is still ongoing, and people are waiting for the final report.
The Federation also said that Captain Anand would cooperate with the investigation but reserved all legal rights and remedies available to him and the Federation.
The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) sent a legal notice to the AAIB challenging the summoning of Captain Varun Anand, nephew of the late Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, in the AI-171 probe.
The FIP alleges the investigation is proceeding along a 'pre-decided narrative' that shifts blame onto the flight crew instead of examining systemic, mechanical, and operational factors.
Captain Varun Anand had no association with the AI-171 aircraft that crashed, and the FIP argues his summoning is 'impermissible in law' and amounts to harassment.
The preliminary crash report noted confusion between the two pilots and raised several questions without conclusively explaining the cause.
The FIP and other groups have moved the Supreme Court, alleging the preliminary report was biased and incomplete and demanding a court-monitored probe.
- Who
- Captain Varun Anand, nephew of the late Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, and the Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP)
- What
- The FIP sent a legal notice to the AAIB challenging the summoning of Captain Varun Anand in the AI-171 probe
- When
- After the crash on June 12, 2025, and the summoning occurred after the preliminary report was published
- Where
- Ahmedabad, India
- Why
- The FIP alleges the summoning is due to a preconceived narrative and an attempt to shift responsibility to the deceased flight crew
- Flight Number
- AI-171
- Route
- Ahmedabad to London Gatwick
- Crash Date
- June 12, 2025
- Fatalities
- 260 (229 passengers, 12 crew, 19 on ground)
- Survivors
- 1
- Investigating Body
- Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB)
- Pilot Summoned
- Captain Varun Anand
- Pilot's Relation to Captain Sabharwal
- Nephew
Sources
Captain's Relative Summoned In AI-171 Probe, Pilots' Body Alleges "Narrative"
Pilots' body sends legal notice to AAIB over AI crash probe
Probe bureau's 'illegal' call to Air India crash pilot kin challenged by pilots’ association
Air India 171 probe: AAIB rejects pilots' body objection, says it can examine anyone in the case
Air India Pilot’s Nephew Summoned In Ahmedabad Crash Probe, Pilots’ Body Objects
AI-171 crash: Pilots’ body serves legal notice to AAIB over summons to deceased pilot’s nephew
AI-171 crash probe: Pilots’ Federation sends notice to AAIB, calls summons to deceased Pilot’s relative “without jurisdiction”
