Supreme Court Exonerates Air India Flight AI-171 Pilots Following Fatal Crash

Post by : Raina Nasser

In a significant ruling on Friday, the Supreme Court of India stated that the pilots of Air India Flight AI-171, which tragically crashed shortly after its departure from Ahmedabad on June 12, were not at fault for the incident that resulted in over 250 fatalities. The court emphasized that no official investigation had linked any blame to the pilots, urging that their families should not carry any undue stigma arising from the accident.

The ruling was delivered by a bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi, who addressed concerns brought forward by Pushkaraj Sabharwal, father of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who was piloting the flight at the time of the disaster. The court assured him that it would formally acknowledge that the pilots cannot be held responsible for the horrific event.

“This was a deeply unfortunate accident,” the bench remarked. “You should not have to bear the burden of your son being unjustly blamed. There is no implication against the pilot whatsoever,” the justices reiterated, affirming that preliminary findings found no pilot error.

Judicial Inquiry Petition Regarding Air India Flight AI-171

The Supreme Court made these remarks while reviewing a petition from Captain Sabharwal’s father and the Federation of Indian Pilots, requesting that a judicially monitored investigation be conducted into the crash. This submission challenges the initial findings of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Board (AAIB), which had hinted at possible “human error.”

The petitioners claim that the investigation was flawed and biased, asserting that crucial evidence indicative of a potential system failure was neglected. They argue that the AAIB’s findings unfairly directed blame towards “pilot error,” without adequately considering a technical malfunction within the Boeing 787 Dreamliner’s control systems.

Representing the petitioners, Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan argued that the investigation lacked transparency and independence. He highlighted inappropriate inquiries made to the pilot’s family and criticized selective leaks to the media, which he believes skewed public understanding.

Court Dismisses Pilot Blame, Advocates Fair Inquiry

The Supreme Court further stated that foreign media narratives, such as those from the Wall Street Journal, hold no legal weight in India. “Respectfully, you should have pursued a case in an American court regarding such claims. The vast majority of Indian citizens do not believe the pilots should bear the blame,” the bench observed.

The justices reiterated that the aim of the inquiry is not to assign blame but to ensure future tragedies are avoided. They advised petitioners wishing to contest the investigation's basis to address the specific provisions of the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules.

Details of the Air India Flight AI-171 Tragedy

On June 12, Air India Flight AI-171 took off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport with 230 passengers and 12 crew onboard. The aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff, resulting in the loss of 229 passengers and all crew members, as well as 19 fatalities on the ground.

According to the AAIB’s preliminary findings, both engine fuel control switches switched from RUN to CUTOFF just seconds post-takeoff, leading to a catastrophic loss of engine thrust. The cockpit voice recorder revealed a brief exchange between the pilots, where one inquired if the fuel cutoff was deliberate, to which the other indicated it was not.

While the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) – a backup power system – deployed automatically and provided brief engine power, the aircraft could not maintain altitude and crashed soon after a Mayday distress call.

Concerns Regarding Boeing’s Systems and Calls for an Independent Inquiry

The petitioners assert that the early deployment of the Ram Air Turbine indicates a significant system failure rather than pilot error. They highlight similar technical issues reported globally with Boeing 787 aircraft, urging for independent forensic testing to eliminate the possibility of design defects.

The petition also insists that attributing blame to the deceased pilots, particularly Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who boasted over 15,600 flight hours and an impeccable record, is unjustified and lacks support from the evidence. They stress the investigation should not tarnish the reputations of those who perished while serving passengers.

To enhance transparency, the petition calls for a court-supervised investigation led by a retired Supreme Court judge and a panel of aviation experts, warning that a hasty or skewed inquiry could jeopardize both justice and the safety of future flights.

Next Steps

The court will reconvene next week to review this case alongside a related petition from the NGO Safety Matters Foundation, which also demands an independent inquiry into the crash. The Supreme Court underscored the importance of free, fair, and transparent aviation accident investigations, ensuring that victim families are not subjected to additional emotional distress due to rumors or misinformation.