'Findings Tarnished Name, Need Fresh Probe': Air India Crash Pilot's Father
The father of a pilot flying the Boeing Dreamliner that crashed less than a minute after take-off from Ahmedabad, has sought a proper investigation into the tragedy.
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- From: India News Bull
The 91-year-old father of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who was piloting the Boeing Dreamliner that crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad, has called for a thorough investigation into the tragic incident. Pushkaraj Sabharwal expressed concern that only a preliminary report has been released so far, which he believes was heavily influenced by Boeing and unfairly blamed the pilots. This has led to media speculation that has damaged his son's reputation.
In his letter addressed to the Civil Aviation Ministry, Mr. Sabharwal emphasized that the government has a responsibility to "ensure professional, independent & impartial investigation into such accidents to prevent future tragedies -- loss of human lives." He complained that despite established protocols, the preliminary findings have solely focused on pilot errors, while selective information has been leaked to media outlets, which reported claims that his son was depressed and deliberately crashed the aircraft. "They tarnish Captain Sabharwal's reputation, which is a Fundamental right," he stated in his letter.
The father noted that his son had been divorced 15 years ago and had lost his mother three years prior. "After that, Captain Sabharwal had operated more than 100 flights without any incident... in 25 years, he had not had a single incident," he wrote. He highlighted that his son possessed 15,638 flight hours and served as a pilot trainer as well.
Mr. Sabharwal referenced two recent Boeing aircraft crashes, pointing out that after the Ethiopian Airlines accident, it was discovered that Boeing had made modifications to flight operation software without informing pilots. A US House Committee investigation concluded this was the "chief contributor" to that crash, he added.
Demanding a fresh investigation, he requested that findings "should not be shared" with media that could cast aspersions on his son. He gave the ministry one week to respond before pursuing legal action if his request was denied.
The Boeing Dreamliner crashed on July 12 shortly after departing Ahmedabad for London, killing all 241 people aboard and more than 30 on the ground, making it India's worst air disaster in decades.
India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau's initial inquiry found that fuel supply switches, which are designed not to move accidentally during flight, had shifted from the 'RUN' to 'CUTOFF' positions. A Wall Street Journal report claimed the pilot had moved the switch, prompting strong objections from Indian pilots' associations and the government.
The final investigation report remains pending.