In an incident that has sent shockwaves across the aviation industry and the nation, an Air India flight from Mumbai to Frankfurt ended in tragedy last week after investigators revealed that the aircraft’s pilot, struggling with personal grief and emotional turmoil, deliberately turned off the fuel supply mid-flight, causing the plane to crash in a remote region of western Iran. There were no survivors among the 241 passengers and 12 crew members on board.
A Pilot in Pain
Captain Arvind Mehta, a seasoned pilot with over 15 years of experience in commercial aviation, had been flying internationally with Air India for the past decade. Known among colleagues as disciplined and calm under pressure, his recent months painted a starkly different picture.
Sources close to Mehta report that he had recently lost his mother after a prolonged illness — a loss that devastated him emotionally. Just weeks later, his wife filed for separation, citing emotional withdrawal and the inability to cope with his erratic moods. Friends noted he had become increasingly isolated, avoiding social contact and expressing dark, hopeless thoughts in personal conversations.
Despite these warning signs, Captain Mehta continued to fly, clearing routine psychological and medical check-ups, which have now come under intense scrutiny.
The Final Flight
Flight AI-721 departed Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport at 11:40 PM IST on what was supposed to be a routine long-haul journey to Frankfurt. Approximately four hours into the flight, without any distress call or technical report, the aircraft began a slow but steady descent before eventually crashing into the Zagros Mountains in Iran.
It took rescue teams nearly 36 hours to reach the crash site due to its remoteness and harsh terrain. Black box data, recovered two days later, provided the chilling clue: the manual deactivation of fuel tank valves, performed by the pilot from the cockpit — a procedure that requires deliberate, unauthorized intervention.
Investigation Underway
Preliminary findings from India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), in collaboration with Iranian and German authorities, confirmed foul play and cited the act as “intentional and methodically executed.” The co-pilot, who was found unconscious at impact, may have been sedated or unaware of Mehta’s actions, though toxicology reports are pending.
Aviation psychologist Dr. Kavita Bhardwaj, who has advised on similar cases, emphasized:
“Pilots are trained to compartmentalize emotions, but they are not immune to psychological breakdowns. When grief and personal trauma go untreated, even the most experienced can become a danger — not only to themselves but to hundreds of others.”
A Wake-Up Call for the Industry
This tragedy has reignited debate over mental health in aviation, with many calling for more rigorous psychological screening and ongoing support systems for pilots. Several airlines worldwide are now reevaluating their mental health monitoring systems and peer support programs.
Families of victims have expressed outrage and heartbreak, demanding justice and transparency. “We trusted the airline with our loved ones,” said Ravi Desai, who lost his sister and niece on the flight. “This wasn’t an accident. It was preventable.”
Air India released a statement offering condolences and promising full cooperation with the investigation:
“We are deeply saddened by this unimaginable loss. Our thoughts are with the families of all those on board. We are reviewing all protocols to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again.”
