The Air India crash in Ahmedabad has sent shockwaves throughout the country, marking it as one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent memory. There were 241 individuals on board whose lives ended within moments of the takeoff. The crash involved a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London, which exploded into flames just seconds after leaving the runway.
Eyewitnesses and aviation authorities remain stunned as investigation details slowly emerge. The incident has devastated the families of two dedicated pilots and hundreds of passengers. Only one person survived, leaving the rest of the nation grieving.
241 Dead in Air India Crash
The Air India crash in Ahmedabad has devastated hundreds of families after a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 230 passengers and 10 crew members, crashed within 32 seconds of take-off. The ill-fated flight was en route to London’s Gatwick Airport and resulted in 241 fatalities, with only one British-Indian passenger, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, surviving.
Among the deceased were Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kunder, who collectively had 9,300 hours of flying experience. The crash, which occurred shortly after departing from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, saw the aircraft fail to achieve lift at just 825 feet before bursting into flames.
Captain Sabharwal, with 8,300 flying hours, lived in Powai and was deeply committed to both his profession and family. Just days before the tragedy, he had reportedly promised his father that he would retire to take care of him.
Sabharwal’s father, a former Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) official, is now left heartbroken. Their neighbours noted the family’s strong ties to aviation, as both of Captain Sabharwal’s nephews are also pilots.
Clive Kunder Mourned
First Officer Clive Kunder, with 1,100 hours of flying experience, also hailed from an aviation background. His mother previously worked as an Air India flight attendant. At the time of the crash, his parents were in Sydney visiting their daughter.
The actor Vikrant Massey, who is related to the Kunder family, expressed his grief on Instagram, mourning the loss of Clive and offering prayers to those affected. Just moments before losing contact, Captain Sabharwal issued a “Mayday” distress signal, according to the DGCA.
