Pilot’s Father Stands Firm as Investigation of Air India Crash Continues

Sat Jun 13 2026 13:00:24 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Pushkar Raj Sabharwal vows to protect the legacy of his son, Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, amid mounting media scrutiny over the 2025 Air India crash.

In the wake of the 2025 Air India Flight 171 crash, father Pushkar Raj Sabharwal publicly declares his resolve to defend his son’s reputation. The crash, involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner that crashed seconds after take‑off from Ahmedabad, killed 260 people and left investigators uncertain about the cause. Media coverage suggesting that Captain Sumeet Sabharwal may have intentionally cut fuel supply has provoked intense backlash from pilots’ associations and the father’s legal pursuit of an independent inquiry. The family’s emotional journey—marked by grief, support from friends and careful routines—underscores the human toll amid the pending investigative results.

Pilot’s Father Stands Firm as Investigation of Air India Crash Continues

Pushkar Raj Sabharwal, the father of the late Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, has declared that he will defend his son’s reputation amid investigations into the 2025 Air India Flight 171 crash and conflicting media reports that suggest the senior pilot may have cut the fuel supply.

A Boeing 787 Dreamliner took off from Ahmedabad on 12 June 2025, only to crash seconds after becoming airborne, killing at least 260 people, including 241 passengers and crew aboard. The cause of the crash remains unknown, and preliminary findings from India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) note that the fuel control switches moved from the “run” to the “cut‑off” position shortly after take‑off, cutting fuel supply to the engines.

Capt Sumeet Sabharwal’s family — Capt Sumeet Sabharwal pictured with his family.

In a BBC interview, the father rejected initial media allegations that the investigation was focusing on his son. He said, “He is no more, but I have to protect his reputation.” He also highlighted that the AAIB had earlier dismissed any impulsive action on either pilot’s part.

The media frenzy intensified after The Wall Street Journal and Reuters published reports citing cockpit audio that seemed to point to Captain Sabharwal deliberately cutting fuel into the engines. Those reports prompted counter‑declarations from Indian pilots’ associations and from the AAIB, which warned against premature conclusions.

Cabin control panel of a Boeing 787 — A view of a Boeing 787 cockpit control panel, showing fuel‑control switches.

Pushkar Raj, a retired aviation safety officer, said his son was planning to retire soon and expected to return to Mumbai to care for him. He recalled that his son had often called from destinations throughout a recent trip.

The father described his son as kind, soft‑spoken and deeply devoted to his family, adding that he was “not very talkative but always had a smile on his face.” He also likened his son to the mythological Hindu figure Shravan Kumar, known for steadfast devotion to parents.

In the months that followed the crash, the Sabharwal family received considerable support from friends, neighbours and a broader community, easing the immediate fallout from the tragedy. Today, Pushkar Raj finds solace in routines such as short evening walks in Mumbai, which remind him of his late son’s companionship.

Nearly a year after the wreck, investigators are still due to release a full report. The family remains hopeful for a conclusive finding that absolves their son of blame. In a telling closing note, the father said, “If I are to keep myself alive and quiet, I must forget – try to forget – which is not possible.”