"He had taken medical leave for that.”
The pilot of an Air India flight that crashed shortly after take-off, killing 241 people, is under scrutiny after investigators revealed the aircraft’s fuel switches had been turned off mid-air.
The London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner went down shortly after leaving Ahmedabad Airport on June 12, striking a nearby medical college. Only one passenger survived.
India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) published its preliminary findings on July 11. The report stated both of the aircraft’s fuel switches were moved to the “cut-off” position “immediately” after take-off, shutting off fuel supply to the engines.
The report said: “In the cockpit voice recording, one of the pilots is heard asking the other why did he cut-off. The other pilot responded that he did not do so.”
Authorities are now examining the medical records of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who was flying alongside Captain Mohan Ranganathan on the day of the crash.
A leading aviation safety expert, also named Captain Mohan Ranganathan, said:
“He had taken time off from flying in the last three to four years. He had taken medical leave for that.”
The report triggered questions over the pilot’s mental state.
While Air India declined to comment, an official from parent company Tata Group said that Captain Sabharwal had not taken any medical leave despite concerns raised by colleagues.
The report confirmed both pilots had passed their Class I medical examinations, mandatory for evaluating physical and mental health, within the last two years.
The crash killed 169 Indian nationals and 52 British passengers. Nineteen others on the ground also died, and 67 were seriously injured.
Families of the victims have demanded clarity.
In a statement, relatives of Akeel Nanabawa, his wife Hannaa Vorajee, and their four-year-old daughter Sara Nanabawa, who all died in the crash, said:
“The report is the first stepping stone. We are still working our way through the weight of our loss.
“Moving forwards, we require honesty, transparency, and an unwavering commitment to uncovering the full truth.
“We seek justice and answers, both of which are essential for us to find any sense of closure.
“We accept God’s fate, but knowing what happened will help ease our hearts and allow us to begin the long journey of healing.
“Above all, we hope that by pursuing the truth, no other family will ever have to endure the shock, uncertainty, and profound sorrow that we have lived through this past month.”
Ishan Baxi, cousin of Dhir and Heer Baxi, who died while returning to London after surprising their grandmother on her birthday, said:
“We’re still hoping for a more transparent and honest investigation that doesn’t shy away from addressing possible mechanical flaws or lapses in protocol to avoid future potential accidents.
“I just hope the final report brings full clarity on what exactly failed and who’s accountable. It shouldn’t hide behind vague terms.
“More than anything, it should push for real changes so this never happens again.”
Experts have highlighted how rare it would be for both fuel switches to be turned off accidentally.
Professor Graham Braithwaite, director of aerospace and aviation at Cranfield University, said:
“For obvious reasons, the two switches are a distance apart, not a huge distance, but enough that you couldn’t accidentally switch two when you’re trying to switch one.”
He explained that fuel switches are typically used at the end of a flight or during emergencies such as an onboard fire:
“If the switch had been moved by a person, that would have been a very unusual thing to do at below 1,000 feet.”
The 11-year-old aircraft had its fuel switches replaced two years ago. Professor Braithwaite called the incident “a really, really unusual event”.
The AAIB report ruled out intoxication, confirming all crew passed breathalyser tests on arrival at Ahmedabad Airport. Investigators also found no major bird activity near the flight path.
The aircraft began to lose altitude before clearing the perimeter wall of the airport. Fuel samples from the tanks used to refuel the plane were found to be “satisfactory”, and no mechanical faults have yet been confirmed.
An Air India spokesperson said:
“Air India stands in solidarity with the families and those affected by the AI171 accident.”
“We continue to mourn the loss and are fully committed to providing support during this difficult time.
“Air India is working closely with stakeholders, including regulators. We continue to fully co-operate with the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and other authorities as their investigation progresses.
“Given the active nature of the investigation, we are unable to comment on specific details and refer all such inquiries to the AAIB.”
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