Air India crash pilot's father vows to defend son's reputation

The father of one of the pilots killed in last year's Air India plane crash has said he will continue to defend his son's reputation, days before investigators are expected to release an update on their findings.

"He is no more, but I have to protect his reputation," he said.

On 12 June 2025, a London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed seconds after taking off from Ahmedabad in western India, killing at least 260 people, including 241 passengers and crew on board.

A preliminary report released by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) in July last year found that the fuel control switches for both engines had moved from the "run" to the "cut-off" position shortly after take-off, depriving the engines of fuel.

Audio recordings from the cockpit captured one pilot asking the other why he had "cut-off" and the other replying that he had not. Investigators did not identify which pilot made either statement.

At the time of take-off, co-pilot Clive Kunder was flying the aircraft while Capt Sabharwal was monitoring. Investigators have not linked either pilot to the conversation cited in the report, nor found that any action was intentional.

Days after the release of the preliminary report last year, The Wall Street Journal and Reuters reported that new details in the investigation were shifting attention towards the senior pilot in the cockpit - Capt Sabharwal.

"A cockpit recording of dialogue between the two pilots of the Air India flight" that crashed last year supports the view that the "captain cut the flow of fuel to the plane's engines", the Reuters report said, citing unnamed sources.

The media reports prompted a strong backlash from pilots' associations in India, which criticised the coverage and rejected suggestions that the senior pilot had caused the crash.

The AAIB also criticised what it called "selective and unverified reporting" by sections of the international media. In a statement issued last year, it said attempts to draw conclusions before the investigation was complete were "irresponsible".

Capt Sabharwal's father later approached India's Supreme Court, seeking an independent investigation into all possible causes of the crash. The court then said that "nobody can blame" the senior pilot and that there was "no suggestion of his fault in the initial report".

However, the media reports and speculation surrounding the crash have been tough to deal with for the family.

"You see, every time an accident takes place, the pilot is blamed. Why? It's the simplest way to close the chapter. He is no more and cannot defend hims