Pilot’s mental health under scrutiny in Ahmedabad Air India plane crash probe

The probe into the tragic Air India crash on June 12 in Ahmedabad has taken a new turn, focusing sharply on the mental health of Captain Sumit Sabharwal, the pilot in command. The 56-year-old veteran, with over 15,000 hours of flying experience, is now at the centre of the investigation amid concerns he may have been suffering from depression.

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Shift from Technical Faults to Human Error

While early speculation pointed to mechanical failure, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has now highlighted a human factor: the plane’s fuel switches were turned off mid-flight. This action cut fuel supply to the engines, and a cockpit voice recording reveals one pilot asking, “Why did you cut off the fuel control switches?” with the other responding, “I didn’t do that.” Investigators are still determining who said what.

Was Captain Sabharwal Fit to Fly?

Captain Sabharwal had passed his Class 1 medical exam in September last year—an assessment that includes both physical and mental evaluations. However, aviation expert Mohan Ranganathan has reportedly claimed that several Air India pilots confided in him that Sabharwal had taken extended medical leave over the past few years and was reportedly dealing with depression following his mother’s death in 2022.

Sabharwal had moved from Delhi to Mumbai to care for his aging father and had even expressed intentions to retire early. Neighbours described him as a devoted son, often seen walking with his father in Powai.

Pilots’ Union Pushes Back

The Pilots Association of India has rejected the investigation’s focus on mental health, warning against unfairly targeting pilots without conclusive evidence.

While both pilots had cleared their medical exams, authorities continue to review psychological reports and cockpit data to determine what truly led to the fatal crash.