Capt Sumeet Sabharwal, First Officer Clive Kundar: The Pilots Of Crashed Air India Flight

Last Updated:June 12, 2025, 18:29 IST

Captain Sabharwal had logged over 8,200 hours of flying experience, while First Officer Kundar, had around 1,100 hours of flying experience

As per initial reports, the aircraft lost altitude shortly after departure and crashed just outside the airport perimeter. (Representational image via AFP)

The Air India flight that tragically crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad on Thursday was under the command of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, with First Officer Clive Kundar as co-pilot.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner was en route to London when it crashed just minutes after take-off. Over 200 people are feared dead. On board were 232 passengers and 10 crew members. Among the passengers were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian.

Pilots Of Crashed Air India Flight

According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Captain Sumeet Sabharwal held the position of Line Training Captain (LTC) and had logged over 8,200 hours of flying experience. He was a senior and highly trained pilot, trusted with mentoring other flight crew members.

Meanwhile, his co-pilot, First Officer Clive Kundar, had around 1,100 hours of flying experience and was relatively new to commercial aviation but fully certified to operate the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

As per initial reports, the aircraft lost altitude shortly after departure and crashed just outside the airport perimeter, in the Meghaninagar area of Ahmedabad. A massive fire broke out at the crash site, with thick black smoke seen rising from the debris.

Further details about Captain Sabharwal and First Officer Kundar are yet to be released, and the exact cause of the crash remains under investigation.

The DGCA has stated that the aircraft departed from Runway 23 at 13:39 IST (08:09 UTC). Within moments of take-off, the crew issued a Mayday call to Air Traffic Control (ATC), signalling a life-threatening emergency. However, there was no further response from the aircraft despite repeated attempts by ATC to establish contact.

“The crew of Air India flight AI171 gave a MAYDAY call to the Air Traffic Control (ATC) immediately after take-off, but gave no response after that to calls made by the ATC to the aircraft," it stated.

A Mayday call is an internationally recognised distress signal used by pilots and crew to report a life-threatening emergency. The word “Mayday" is repeated three times—“Mayday, Mayday, Mayday"—to ensure clarity in communication. It is different from a “Pan-Pan" call, which signals a non-life-threatening situation.

ALSO READ: Ahmedabad Plane Crash LIVE Updates: Over 200 On Board Air India Flight Feared Dead; World Mourns Tragedy

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News india Capt Sumeet Sabharwal, First Officer Clive Kundar: The Pilots Of Crashed Air India Flight