Supreme Court Clears Air India Flight AI-171 Pilots of Blame in Tragic Crash

The Supreme Court of India on Friday clarified that the pilots of Air India Flight AI-171, which crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12 killing over 250 people, were not responsible for the tragedy. The bench stated that no official investigation report had attributed fault to the pilots and emphasized that their families should not bear any stigma related to the incident.

The bench, comprising Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi, addressed the concerns raised by Pushkaraj Sabharwal, the father of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who commanded the ill-fated flight. The court assured the family that it would officially record its finding that the pilots cannot be blamed for the devastating accident.

“This was an extremely unfortunate accident,” the bench observed. “But you should not carry the burden that your son is being blamed. There is no insinuation against the pilot at all,” the justices said, reiterating that the preliminary report pointed to no pilot error.

Petition for Judicial Probe into Air India Flight AI-171 Crash

The Supreme Court made these observations while hearing a petition filed by Captain Sabharwal’s father and the Federation of Indian Pilots, seeking a judicially monitored investigation into the crash. The petition challenges the preliminary findings of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Board (AAIB), which initially suggested possible “human error.”

The petitioners have alleged that the investigation was biased and incomplete, arguing that key evidence pointing to a possible electrical or digital systems failure was overlooked. They asserted that the AAIB’s approach unfairly shifted the narrative toward “pilot error” without conclusively ruling out a technical malfunction in the Boeing 787 Dreamliner’s digital control architecture.

Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, representing the petitioner, contended that the investigation lacked independence and transparency. He noted that certain inquiries made to the pilot’s family were inappropriate and that selective leaks to international media distorted public perception.

Court Rejects Blame on Pilots, Emphasizes Fairness

The Supreme Court, however, noted that foreign media reports—including those published by the Wall Street Journal—hold no legal significance in India. The bench stated, “With respect, you should have filed a suit in an American court against such publications. None of the 142 crore citizens of India believe the blame should go to the pilots.”

The justices reaffirmed that the purpose of the inquiry was not to assign blame but to ensure that such tragedies are not repeated. They also advised the petitioners that if they wished to challenge the investigation’s framework, they must question the relevant provisions under the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules.

The Tragic Air India Flight AI-171 Crash

On June 12, Air India Flight AI-171 took off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members. The aircraft crashed minutes later, killing 229 passengers, all crew members, and 19 people on the ground.

According to the AAIB’s preliminary report, both engine fuel control switches moved from RUN to CUTOFF seconds after takeoff, leading to a sudden loss of thrust. The cockpit voice recorder captured a brief exchange between pilots, with one asking whether the fuel cutoff was intentional and the other denying any such action.

While the Ram Air Turbine (RAT)—a backup power source—automatically deployed and one engine briefly regained power, the aircraft failed to maintain altitude and crashed shortly after issuing a Mayday call.

Questions Over Boeing’s Systems and Call for Transparent Inquiry

The petitioners argue that the deployment of the Ram Air Turbine so early in the flight suggests a major electrical or systems failure rather than human error. They further pointed to reports of similar technical anomalies in Boeing 787 aircraft worldwide, calling for independent forensic testing to rule out possible design flaws.

The petition also stresses that blaming the deceased pilots—particularly Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, an aviator with over 15,600 flying hours and an unblemished record—is unjust and unsupported by evidence. They emphasized that the investigation must not tarnish the reputation of those who lost their lives serving passengers.

To ensure transparency, the petition seeks a court-monitored investigation led by a retired Supreme Court judge and a panel of aviation experts, warning that a rushed or one-sided probe could compromise both justice and future flight safety.

Way Forward

The case will now be heard next week, alongside a similar petition filed by the NGO Safety Matters Foundation, which has also demanded an independent and impartial inquiry into the crash. The Supreme Court reaffirmed that aviation accident investigations must be free, fair, and transparent, and that families of victims must not endure additional emotional distress due to speculation or misinformation.