Profile of two pilots who flew crashed Air India plane released

Following the recent crash of Air India plane that claimed 260 lives, a preliminary report has indicated that the accident was caused by a disruption in the fuel supply to the engines.

Tribune Online reports that Air India flight 171 took off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in India’s western state of Gujarat on June 12.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was headed to London Gatwick and scheduled to land at 6:25 p.m. local time, but crashed before leaving Ahmedabad.

The crashed flight had 242 passengers and crew members on board, comprising 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese and one Canadian. However, only one person survived the tragic incident.

In addition to those on board, a number of people on the ground were killed when the plane crashed into the BJ Medical College and Hospital hostel.

Based on the preliminary investigation and media reports, a brief profile of the two pilots was also released:

CAPTAIN SUMEET SABHARWAL

Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, 56, held an airline transport pilot’s license valid until May 14, 2026.

He was certified to fly as pilot-in-command on several aircraft types, including the Boeing 787 and 777, as well as the Airbus A310.

He had accumulated a total of 15,638 flying hours, with 8,596 hours specifically on the Boeing 787.

According to a Times of India report, Sabharwal called his family from the airport to say he would phone again after landing in London. A fellow pilot who briefly interacted with him described him as a “gentleman”.

FIRST OFFICER CLIVE KUNDER

First Officer Clive Kunder, 32, held a commercial pilot’s license issued in 2020, valid until September 26, 2025.

He was qualified to fly the Cessna 172 and Piper PA-34 Seneca as pilot-in-command, and served as co-pilot on both the Airbus A320 and Boeing 787.

He had logged a total of 3,403 flying hours, including 1,128 hours as a co-pilot on the Boeing 787.

According to Indian media reports, citing his family, Kunder had been passionate about aviation since his school days and began flying professionally in 2012. He joined Air India in 2017.

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