Supreme Court Exonerates Air India Pilot; Calls for Independent Dreamliner Investigation

Post by : Raina Nasser

New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India has officially exonerated the pilot-in-command of the Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner involved in the June tragedy in Ahmedabad that resulted in the loss of 260 lives. During a hearing today, the apex court issued notices to the Centre, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), insisting on an independent and thorough investigation into the incident.

This ruling follows a petition filed by Pushkaraj Sabharwal, whose son Sumeet Sabharwal was the late pilot, and received support from the Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP). Justice Surya Kant reassured the 91-year-old father, saying: “This crash was profoundly unfortunate, but you should not bear the burden of blame for your son.” The court reiterated that initial reports have pointed to no wrongdoing on the pilot’s part.

Preliminary findings from the AAIB, made public in July, revealed that fuel supply to both engines was interrupted shortly after takeoff, causing the engines to flame out. The fuel control switches were promptly reset, but the engines had failed, contributing to the crash. While technical aspects are still being investigated, pilot negligence has not been established.

Concerns have arisen over foreign media reports on the situation, some of which referenced Indian sources. Justice Kant rejected the notion that these articles could sway the investigation, affirming that Indian judicial and aviation authorities would lead the process.

The pilot's father requested the establishment of an independent judicial committee to evaluate the crash, arguing that the AAIB’s investigation did not offer complete independence. He pointed to global apprehensions regarding Boeing 787 aircraft, underscoring the necessity of an unbiased inquiry into the Dreamliner accident, which is classified as an “accident” rather than merely an “incident.”

Further hearings in the Supreme Court are set for November 10 to discuss additional petitions linked to the crash.

Air India’s Managing Director and CEO, Campbell Wilson, stated that while the AAIB report did not implicate the airline’s operations, the airline is committed to continuously reviewing and enhancing its safety measures. “Events in the industry, be it us or others, prompt careful reflection. They compel us to reevaluate our practices,” Wilson remarked during the Aviation India 2025 Summit in Delhi.

The Supreme Court's decision brings relief to the pilot’s family, highlights the necessity for a comprehensive investigation, and reinforces the importance of accountability and safety within India’s aviation landscape.