Pilots' Body Serves Legal Notice to AAIB Over Summons of Deceased Captain's Relative in AI-171 Crash Probe

• The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has sent a legal notice to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) regarding the summoning of Captain Varun Anand in the AI-171 crash probe.
• FIP objects to the summons, calling it unlawful and contrary to international aviation investigation norms, as Anand is related to the deceased pilot, Captain Sumit Sabharwal, but has no professional link to the flight.
• The pilots' body alleges that investigators may be trying to shift responsibility onto the deceased flight crew and failed to specify the legal basis for summoning Anand.
• FIP cites ICAO Annex 13, stating that summoning family members is unlawful and undermines the investigation's credibility, as probes should focus on safety improvement, not blame.
• Despite the objection, Captain Anand is willing to cooperate via video conferencing, an offer made in good faith while contesting the summons' legality.

Why It Matters: Pilots' body challenges AAIB's summons of deceased captain's relative in AI-171 crash probe, citing ICAO norms.