Ahmedabad: In a heartbreaking tragedy, Air India Flight AI171 crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on Thursday, claiming the lives of its skilled pilots. Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who had reassured his family he’d call again after landing in London, made his final communication with air traffic control before the disaster, as reported by Business Standard.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) recorded Sabharwal as having 8,200 flying hours, though a senior colleague suggested his experience was likely greater. “The eGCA platform is new and may not reflect his full record,” the colleague noted. “Sumeet was a reserved, dedicated pilot who flew the Airbus A310, Boeing 777, and B787 with exceptional diligence.”
Co-pilot Clive Kunder, with 1,100 hours of flying experience, served as the first officer on the nearly 10-hour flight, assisting Sabharwal. Commercial aircraft command requires at least 1,500 hours, making Kunder’s role supportive yet critical. The crash deeply affected many, including actor Vikrant Massey, who shared his grief on Instagram, writing, “It pains even more to know that my uncle, Clifford Kunder, lost his son…” Social media posts also mourned Kunder, noting his Mangaluru roots and the profound loss felt by the community.