The recent Air India flight tragedy has left the world in shock as we learn about the pilots, Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kunder, who were steering the doomed journey. Photos of the two pilots have surfaced online, accompanied by details of their heart-wrenching mayday call.
The ill-fated Flight AI171 departed from Ahmedabad Airport in western India, destined for London’s Gatwick Airport. Tragically, the flight never reached its destination, crashing shortly after takeoff. The plane took off at 1:39 PM local time from runway 23, carrying 242 people.
Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, an experienced aviator with more than 8,200 flying hours, attempted an emergency call mere moments after departure. In a desperate call, he reported, “Mayday… no thrust, losing power, unable to lift.”

India’s aviation authorities confirmed receiving the pilot’s mayday call through air traffic control, but unfortunately, they heard nothing from the plane following that.
Despite the crew’s valiant efforts, the aircraft failed to gain altitude, crashing 1.5 miles past the runway in Gujarat’s densely populated Meghani Nagar area.
Sad News: Only One Survivor From the Crash
The devastating crash resulted in 229 passengers and 12 crew members losing their lives, as reported by Air India. Astonishingly, one passenger, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, sitting in seat 11A, survived.

In an official statement, Air India confirmed the loss of Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 aircraft, on June 12, 2025. The statement outlined, “The 12-year-old aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 13:38, with 230 passengers and 12 crew on board.”
Natarajan Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Air India, shared his heartfelt condolences, saying, “With profound sorrow, I confirm that our flight was involved in a tragic accident today. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event.”

Chandrasekaran continued, “Our immediate focus is on supporting everyone impacted by this tragedy. We are dedicated to assisting emergency response teams at the crash site and providing all necessary care to those affected.”
Additional updates will follow as more verified information becomes available. An emergency center has been established for coordination, and support teams are in place to assist families.
It’s crucial for everyone to stay informed and support any efforts aimed at discovering all necessary facts about the crash.
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