Post by : Raina
Al-Fahim
New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India has officially exonerated the pilot-in-command of the Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner regarding the June crash in Ahmedabad that resulted in the loss of 260 lives. During today's hearing, the apex court instructed the Centre, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) to ensure an independent and transparent inquiry into the incident.
Following a petition by Pushkaraj Sabharwal, father of the deceased pilot Sumeet Sabharwal, the Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) backed the request. Justice Surya Kant expressed sympathy towards the 91-year-old father, stating, “This crash was a tragic event, but you need not bear the burden of blame for your son.” The court highlighted that initial reports showed no wrongdoing by the pilot.
The AAIB’s preliminary report, released in July, indicated that the fuel supply to both engines was temporarily interrupted right after takeoff, resulting in engine flameouts. Although the fuel control switches were promptly activated again, the engines had already failed, leading to the crash. While an investigation into technical failures continues, no evidence has been found to indicate pilot error.
Concerns over international media coverage of the crash, which included allegations based on Indian sources, were addressed by Justice Kant, who clarified that such articles would not influence the investigation conducted by Indian judicial and aviation authorities.
The pilot's father has requested an independent judicial committee to assess the crash, arguing that the AAIB's investigation lacks complete autonomy. He pointed to global issues surrounding Boeing 787 aircraft and emphasized the necessity for an unbiased inquiry, categorizing the event as an “accident” rather than merely an “incident.”
Further court hearings have been scheduled for November 10 concerning additional petitions linked to the crash.
Campbell Wilson, Managing Director and CEO of Air India, commented that while the AAIB report cleared the airline from operational faults, Air India is committed to continually reviewing and enhancing its safety protocols. “Every incident in the industry, whether involving us or others, is a reason for reflection and reassessment of practices,” Wilson stated during the Aviation India 2025 Summit in Delhi.
The Supreme Court's order brings relief to the pilot's family and emphasizes the need for a comprehensive investigation, underscoring accountability and safety within India's aviation sector.
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