{"id":130022,"date":"2026-01-18T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-18T04:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=130022"},"modified":"2026-01-18T02:11:03","modified_gmt":"2026-01-17T20:41:03","slug":"air-india-crash-probe-faces-challenge-over-aaib-summons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2026\/01\/18\/air-india-crash-probe-faces-challenge-over-aaib-summons\/","title":{"rendered":"Air India 787 Crash Probe Faces Challenge Over AAIB Summons"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

AHMEDABAD\u2014<\/strong> India\u2019s aviation safety framework has come under renewed scrutiny after a pilots\u2019 grouping formally objected to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau\u2019s decision to summon the nephew of a deceased captain linked to last year\u2019s fatal Air India (AI)<\/a> crash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The objection relates to the investigation into the Boeing 787-8<\/a> accident at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (AMD), Ahmedabad, which claimed multiple lives and remains under active examination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Utkarsh Thakkar (Vimanspotter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Summons Without Clarity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The notice argued that such omissions raise serious procedural concerns and fall short of basic due process standards expected in a civil aviation investigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pilots\u2019 body maintained that Capt Anand had no connection to the aircraft, the flight, or any operational, maintenance, or certification aspects associated with the accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: By lasta29 – Air India, B787-8 Dreamliner, VT-ANR, CC BY 2.0, https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?curid=40687689<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Probe Mandate Questioned<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Beyond the individual summons, the FIP said the move reflected a troubling investigative direction, particularly the practice of calling relatives of deceased crew members. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pilots\u2019 body categorically rejected the idea that Capt Anand could be treated as a factual, technical, or expert witness in the case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Mumbai Planes | Siddh Dhuri<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n