New Delhi, July 16 - In the aftermath of the tragic Air India Flight AI171 crash on June 12, 2025, which claimed the lives of 241 of the 242 passengers and crew on board, as well as 19 people on the ground, investigators have turned their attention to the medical records of the flight’s captain, Sumeet Sabharwal. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, en route from Ahmedabad to London, crashed into a medical students’ hostel shortly after takeoff, marking one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters in recent history. The investigation, led by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), has shifted focus to potential human error, particularly following reports that Captain Sabharwal may have struggled with mental health issues in the years leading up to the incident. This development has reignited broader discussions about mental health monitoring and aviation safety protocols.
#AviationNews 🚨 Air India #Crash Investigation #UPDATE 🚨 Reports suggest investigators are examining the mental health history of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, pilot of the tragic Air India Flight AI171 that crashed in Ahmedabad, killing 260 people. Claims of past depression have… pic.twitter.com/RIilOTdH9v
— Aero News Journal-Daily Aviation News (@FlyingFreak73) July 15, 2025
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Preliminary findings from the AAIB, released in early July 2025, indicate that the crash may have been linked to the fuel cutoff switches being turned off, resulting in a catastrophic loss of engine thrust during the aircraft’s ascent. Analysis of the cockpit voice recorder revealed a critical exchange in the final moments, where one pilot questioned the other about why the fuel supply had been cut off, with the response indicating confusion, as the second pilot denied responsibility. While the report did not conclusively determine whether this was a deliberate act or an error, it has prompted investigators to closely examine the actions and psychological state of Captain Sabharwal, who was the monitoring pilot during takeoff. The first officer, Kundar, was handling the controls at the time.
Captain Sabharwal, a 56-year-old veteran pilot with over 15,000 flight hours, had a distinguished career with Air India, having joined the airline in 1994. However, reports indicate that he had taken medical leave multiple times in the past three to four years, allegedly due to struggles with depression and other mental health challenges. These leaves were reportedly linked to personal difficulties, including the death of his mother in 2022, after which he also took bereavement leave. Additionally, Sabharwal had expressed intentions to retire early to care for his elderly father, according to statements from neighbors. Despite these challenges, records confirm that both pilots had passed the mandatory Class I medical examination, which assesses physical and psychological fitness, within the last two years, with Sabharwal’s most recent exam occurring on September 5, 2024.
Air India and its parent company, Tata Group, have remained cautious in their statements, with the latter confirming that Sabharwal’s medical records have been submitted to investigators. The airline has emphasized that no mechanical or maintenance issues were found with the aircraft, a finding corroborated by the preliminary report. Air India’s CEO, Campbell Wilson, issued an internal memo urging staff to avoid premature conclusions, highlighting that both pilots had undergone all required checks before the flight. Nonetheless, the investigation has drawn scrutiny to the airline’s processes for monitoring pilot mental health. The tragedy has sparked a broader debate about the adequacy of mental health support within the aviation industry. Experts argue that while physical health is rigorously evaluated, psychological assessments may not always detect underlying issues, particularly when pilots fear stigma or career repercussions. The crash has drawn comparisons to past incidents where pilot mental health was questioned, underscoring the need for more robust and transparent protocols to ensure fitness to fly. As the investigation continues, authorities are tasked with determining whether Sabharwal’s mental health played a role in the disaster or if other factors, such as procedural errors or systemic oversight, contributed to the tragedy. The findings are expected to have significant implications for aviation safety standards globally.