Final Flight of Duty: Captain Sumeet Sabharwal’s Body Brought Home After Tragic Ahmedabad Air India Crash

Pilot hailed for possible heroism as investigation into India’s worst aviation disaster in recent years unfolds

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In a heartbreaking culmination to one of India’s worst aviation disasters in recent memory, the body of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, the pilot of the ill-fated Air India flight AI171, was brought to Mumbai on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, for his final rites. Captain Sabharwal perished along with 240 other passengers and crew members when the aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad Airport en route to London Gatwick on June 12, 2025.

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✈️ The Tragic Crash: What Happened?

The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport around 1:38 PM IST and was airborne for just over five minutes when it issued a “Mayday” call and lost altitude rapidly. The aircraft crashed into the B.J. Medical College campus in Meghani Nagar, Ahmedabad, destroying parts of a hostel and killing at least 38 people on the ground.

Preliminary reports suggest a catastrophic system failure, possibly related to engine thrust or landing gear malfunction, but a detailed probe is underway. Investigators from India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) are working alongside experts from the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch and the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The plane’s black boxes have been recovered and are under forensic analysis.

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👨‍✈️ Remembering Captain Sumeet Sabharwal

A veteran pilot with over 8,000 flying hours, Captain Sabharwal was known for his professionalism and calm demeanor in the cockpit. Residents of Powai, Mumbai, remember him as a humble and disciplined man who was planning to retire soon to care for his elderly father.

On June 17, his body was flown to Mumbai and received at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, where family members and Air India officials were present. From there, it was taken to his residence in Jal Vayu Vihar, where friends, neighbors, and dignitaries gathered to pay their respects. Among those present were noted personalities like Niranjan Hiranandani and Shiv Sena MLA Dilip Lande.

An emotional moment unfolded when his 88-year-old father, Pushkaraj Sabharwal, performed the final prayers beside the casket. Later, the body was taken in a hearse to the Chakala Electric Crematorium for the last rites.

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🕊️ A Hero in the Final Moments?

Although official investigations are still ongoing, aviation experts and eyewitness accounts suggest that Captain Sabharwal may have attempted to divert the crashing aircraft away from densely populated areas, potentially saving hundreds of lives. The plane went down in a compound with relatively fewer civilians than nearby residential zones.

This act, if confirmed, would elevate his memory to one of selfless heroism, where a pilot in his final moments chose to steer the plane toward a less destructive outcome.

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🧬 Victim Identification and Aftermath

As of June 17, the remains of 76 victims have been identified and handed over to families through DNA matching. Air India has deployed special assistance teams to support the grieving families in India, the UK, and Canada.

Among the deceased were 26 children, 8 crew members, and 12 foreign nationals. A sole British survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, is currently recovering in Ahmedabad and is expected to be flown to the UK under medical supervision.

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⚖️ Investigation and Air India's Response

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has requested full disclosure from Air India regarding:

• Training records of both pilots and the flight dispatcher

• Maintenance logs of the aircraft

• Emergency preparedness protocols

Air India has since launched internal safety audits across its fleet and reaffirmed its cooperation with the ongoing international investigation. Boeing engineers have also been flown in from Seattle to assist.

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📌 The Bigger Picture

This crash marks a significant moment for India's aviation sector, raising urgent questions about:

• Aircraft maintenance standards

• Emergency training of flight crews

• Regulatory oversight

• Airport readiness for disaster scenarios

While the investigation may take months to reach its final conclusions, the death of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal has already become a symbol of silent sacrifice, dedication, and dignity in disaster.

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🕯 Final Words

Captain Sabharwal’s journey ended in tragedy, but his legacy lives on. For many, he will be remembered not only as a skilled pilot but as a man who gave everything, including his life, in the line of duty. As Mumbai bids farewell to one of its own, the nation grieves—and waits for answers.