A Father's Unwavering Fight: Unmasking the Truth Behind the Air India Express Crash

In a heart-wrenching plea for justice and truth, the grieving father of Captain Deepak Vasanth Sathe, who tragically perished piloting Air India Express flight IX-1344, has publicly denounced what he claims are baseless and cruel insinuations from investigators. Wing Commander (retd) Vasanth Sathe, a decorated veteran himself, has fiercely challenged the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), alleging they suggested his son deliberately cut fuel to the aircraft’s engines, an assertion he vehemently refutes as an attempt to unjustly blame the deceased pilots.

The devastating crash of Air India Express flight IX-1344 at Kozhikode’s Karipur airport on August 7, 2020, claimed the lives of 19 passengers and both pilots.

Amidst the profound sorrow, the investigative process has been marred by controversy, especially from the perspective of Captain Sathe's family. His father, in deep anguish, has voiced his outrage at the alleged line of questioning, which he perceives as an insidious attempt to tarnish his son’s sterling reputation and professional integrity.

Captain Deepak Sathe was not merely a pilot; he was a highly experienced former Indian Air Force test pilot with thousands of hours in the cockpit, including extensive experience on the Boeing 737.

His father argues with conviction that his son was an officer of impeccable character and unwavering dedication to safety, a man who would never, under any circumstances, jeopardize the lives of his passengers or crew. The idea that he would intentionally cut fuel to the engines, thereby risking a catastrophic failure, is dismissed as an affront to everything his son stood for.

The family's distress is compounded by the belief that the investigation may be seeking scapegoats rather than a thorough and impartial examination of all contributing factors.

While the specifics of the ‘fuel cut’ theory remain largely within the investigation’s confidential sphere, the father’s public outcry sheds a stark light on the emotional toll and the perceived injustices faced by the families of those who serve with honor. He demands a transparent inquiry that considers all variables—be it environmental conditions, runway specifications, air traffic control, or aircraft maintenance—instead of solely focusing on the actions of pilots who are no longer there to defend themselves.

This emotional battle highlights a broader concern within aviation accident investigations: the delicate balance between accountability and empathy.

As the final report looms, Wing Commander Sathe’s steadfast determination serves as a powerful reminder that beyond technical data and black box recordings, there are human lives, legacies, and the profound grief of families seeking nothing but the unvarnished truth.