Father of Air India Pilot Defends Deceased Son’s Legacy

Sat Jun 13 2026 12:31:54 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Pushkar Raj Sabharwal vows to protect his late son’s reputation amid ongoing investigations into the 2025 Air India crash.

In the aftermath of the devastating Air India Flight 171 crash, which killed 260 people nearly a year ago, the son’s father, retired aviation safety officer Pushkar Raj Sabharwal, publicly stated his intention to defend his deceased brother’s name. Media reports that the investigation focused on Captain Sumeet Sabharwal’s actions have sparked controversy. The preliminary AAIB report blamed fuel switch malfunctions, yet audio footage suggests a dialogue between two pilots about engine fuel cut-offs. As investigators prepare a detailed update, the father’s statements highlight the family’s struggle to reconcile grief with the pressuring narrative that pilots are automatically held accountable for accidents. The article explores the father’s perspective, the investigative findings, and the broader issue of how pilot culpability is portrayed in the media.

Father of Air India Pilot Vows to Defend Deceased Son’s Legacy

After the fatal crash of Air India Flight 171 in June 2025, which claimed 260 lives, the father of the senior pilot has publicly pledged to defend his son’s reputation.

Pushkar Raj Sabharwal, a retired aviation safety officer, said to the BBC that he would “protect his son’s name” despite the death. The comments come as investigators are set to release a comprehensive report and as media outlets have suggested that the senior pilot may have been culpable.

The 2025 crash occurred two seconds after taking off from Ahmedabad, with a Boeing 787 Dreamliner piloted by Capt Sumeet Sabharwal. A preliminary report by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) identified fuel control switches that moved from a “run” to a “cut‑off” position shortly after take‑off, cutting the engines.

Audio recordings from the cockpit captured a conversation where one pilot asked why the other had “cut‑off” and the response was “I did not.” Still, the specific pilot who made the statements was not identified in the recording, leaving the question open.

The AAIB has criticized “selective and unverified reporting” that pointed the blame at the senior pilot. In a statement last year, the bureau said attempts to draw conclusions before the investigation was complete were irresponsible. The Supreme Court later ruled that no evidence existed that the captain was at fault.

In an interview, Pushkar Raj recounted his son’s kind temperament and devotion to family. He described how Sumeet, before the crash, had just boarded the aircraft to fly his next destination to Gatwick, repeatedly calling to check in. He spoke of a life of quiet devotion, describing his son as “deeply devoted to his family” and “soft‑spoken.”

The father’s commentary reflects a broader concern that pilots are the default scapegoat in aviation tragedies. “Every time an accident happens, the pilot is blamed,” he said, noting that his son can no longer defend himself personally.

Despite the tragedy, Pushkar Raj insists the investigative process must remain undistorted. He said that if a future report finds the pilot to be at fault, he would be ready to face the “honoured duty of remembering” and still defend “the community’s respect” for the deceased.

The family’s plight has prompted a debate in India on the portrayal of pilot culpability. Pilots’ associations criticized the media coverage and insisted that the senior pilot could not have “intentionally” caused the crash given the evidence available.

The crew’s deaths and the surrounding scrutiny remain a stark reminder that tragedy and truth can come apart. As investigators prepare the next phase of their findings, the Sabharwal family’s story continues to unfold, shedding light on the human cost of aviation investigation narratives.