AHMEDABAD— India’s aviation safety framework has come under renewed scrutiny after a pilots’ grouping formally objected to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau’s decision to summon the nephew of a deceased captain linked to last year’s fatal Air India (AI) crash.
The objection relates to the investigation into the Boeing 787-8 accident at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (AMD), Ahmedabad, which claimed multiple lives and remains under active examination.
The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has served a legal notice to the AAIB, arguing that the summons issued to Capt Varun Anand, a commercial pilot and the nephew of the late pilot-in-command, lacks legal clarity and investigative relevance.
Summons Without Clarity
The FIP stated that Capt Anand was informed of the summons through his employer, Air India, without being told the statutory basis, investigative purpose, or the capacity in which his presence was required.
The notice argued that such omissions raise serious procedural concerns and fall short of basic due process standards expected in a civil aviation investigation.
The pilots’ body maintained that Capt Anand had no connection to the aircraft, the flight, or any operational, maintenance, or certification aspects associated with the accident.
It further emphasized that he was not present at the crash site and possessed no factual, technical, or operational knowledge relevant to the circumstances of the incident, rendering his summoning unnecessary.
Probe Mandate Questioned
Beyond the individual summons, the FIP said the move reflected a troubling investigative direction, particularly the practice of calling relatives of deceased crew members.
The grouping warned that summoning family members without a demonstrable nexus to the accident creates an impression that the probe is drifting away from objective fact-finding.
Citing the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules and international standards under ICAO Annex 13, the federation alleged that the AAIB had exceeded its mandate.
It argued that these frameworks strictly limit accident investigations to technical and safety analysis, while expressly barring the attribution of blame or liability during the inquiry stage.
The pilots’ body categorically rejected the idea that Capt Anand could be treated as a factual, technical, or expert witness in the case.
Legal And Institutional Fallout
The notice also highlighted that the broader investigation is already under judicial consideration.
According to the FIP, the father of the deceased captain, along with Capt Anand, has approached the Supreme Court through a writ petition challenging the independence and fairness of the AAIB-led probe.
This development adds a legal dimension to what was initially a purely technical investigation.
The pilots’ grouping described the summons as unwarranted and distressing, particularly given the timing and the personal loss involved.
It warned that such actions could expose the summoned individual to professional and reputational harm, while also weakening trust between flight crew communities and investigative authorities at a critical moment for aviation safety oversight in India.
Bottom Line
The objection raised by the pilots’ body underscores growing unease over how the Air India Ahmedabad crash investigation is being conducted.
As legal scrutiny intensifies, the episode highlights the fine balance investigators must maintain between exhaustive fact-gathering and strict adherence to established national and international norms.
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