The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has dismissed objections from the Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) over its summons of Captain Varun Anand, nephew of the late Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, in the ongoing probe into the Air India Flight 171 crash.
FIP had protested the January 9 notice, calling it “unwarranted” and alleging harassment, as the summons did not specify the legal basis, purpose, or the capacity in which Anand was required to appear. AAIB countered that under the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2025, it has the authority to summon and examine anyone relevant to the investigation to collect facts and clarify events.
Captain Anand, a serving Air India pilot and FIP member, has been asked to appear on January 15 and agreed to respond via video conference, despite the objections. FIP emphasized that Anand had no professional connection to the aircraft, its operations, or the flight in question.
The AAIB is investigating the June 2025 crash of Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, killing 241 of the 242 people onboard, including former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani.
