Veteran Pilot Sandhu Joins Air India Crash Investigation as Expert

Speedy Summary

• Captain R.S. Sandhu,former director of operations at Air India and a veteran pilot,has been appointed as a domain expert by the Aircraft accident Examination Bureau (AAIB) in the probe into the Ahmedabad plane crash.
• The crash occurred on June 12, 2025, involving Air India’s Boeing 787-8 aircraft (VT-ANB), en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick. It crashed into a building shortly after takeoff, killing 260 people and leaving one sole survivor onboard.
• Captain Sandhu had taken delivery of the crashed aircraft in 2013 during his tenure at Air India as a designated examiner for Boeing’s 787-8 fleet.
• Concerns raised by pilot unions over insufficient subject matter experts led AAIB to include seasoned personnel like Sandhu for investigative assistance.
• Other experts assisting in the investigation include experienced pilots, engineers, aviation medicine specialists, aviation psychologists, and flight recorder specialists.
• A five-member team led by sanjay Kumar Singh is heading the overall investigation.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The inclusion of Captain R.S. Sandhu as part of AAIB’s investigation team reflects proactive measures aimed at bolstering technical expertise following one of India’s most devastating air disasters. His prior association with VT-ANB could provide unique insights into its operational history and maintenance protocols. Considering criticisms from pilot unions about insufficient expert involvement in such probes, AAIB’s decision may address public concerns regarding openness.

With an interdisciplinary panel comprising engineers and medical specialists alongside aviators like Captain Sandhu contributing their domain expertise, this investigation could set benchmarks for systemic safety improvements within India’s aviation sector if lessons from this tragedy are fully realized. Given that public confidence is closely tied to thorough examination outcomes post-crisis events like this one – how effectively these findings influence future policymaking will be crucial.Read More: The Hindu