Air India pilot Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who died in a crash that killed 241 people, had reportedly struggled with depression and other mental health issues. According to medical records submitted by the airline, Sabharwal took bereavement leave in 2022 after his mother’s death and had recently been considering retirement due to caregiving responsibilities.
The pilot, with over 15,000 flying hours under his belt, had also taken time off from flying for several years due to mental health concerns. His medical records were turned over to investigators amid reports that he had depression and other issues. An expert said Sabharwal should have been cleared to return to work after a medical exam in September.
The cause of the crash is still unclear, with preliminary findings suggesting pilot error involving fuel cut-off switches. The Air India CEO has pushed back on these initial findings, stating that the investigation is not over yet.
Source: https://nypost.com/2025/07/14/world-news/doomed-air-india-pilots-medical-records-probed-amid-reports-of-depression-other-mental-health-struggles