‘Exceptional Aviator’: Air India Honours Capt Sumeet Sabharwal, Pilot Of Ill-Fated Flight AI-171

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Last Updated: June 17, 2025, 21:33 IST

Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, the pilot of the ill-fated London-bound Flight AI-171 that crashed in Ahmedabad last week, was laid to rest outside his Mumbai residence today.

Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, one of the pilots of the ill-fated Flight AI-171, was laid to rest on Tuesday.

Air India paid a special tribute to Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, the pilot of the ill-fated London-bound Flight AI-171 that crashed in Ahmedabad last week, who was laid to rest outside his residence in Powai, Mumbai, on Tuesday.

The body of Sabharwal was brought to Mumbai by a flight this morning after his identity was confirmed through DNA testing. With tears in his eyes and folded hands, Captain Sabharwal’s father paid a final tribute to his son, pilot of the Air India plane that crashed in Ahmedabad.

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Captain Sabharwal, 56, had 8,200 hours of flying experience and was set to retire and take care of his father full time. He was one of the co-pilots of the plane that crashed in Ahmedabad on June 12, leaving all but one of the 242 passengers dead.

In a special message, Air India wrote, “With profound grief and heavy hearts, we bid farewell to Captain Sabharwal – an exceptional aviator, a dedicated professional, and a beloved member of the Air India family.”

“Captain Sabharwal’s unwavering commitment to the skies and his quiet strength on the ground earned him deep respect across the aviation fraternity. At his funeral today, our COO, Tata Group’s HR Head and Communications Head joined his family, friends, and colleagues to pay their respects, share in their pain and grief, and to offer moral support on behalf of the entire Air India and Tata Group family.”

A Final Salute to Captain SabharwalWith profound grief and heavy hearts, we bid farewell to Captain Sabharwal – an exceptional aviator, a dedicated professional, and a beloved member of the Air India family. Captain Sabharwal’s unwavering commitment to the skies and his quiet… — Air India (@airindia) June 17, 2025

The airline extended solidarity with Sabharwal’s loved ones at this time of immense loss. “His memory will continue to inspire us, and his legacy will forever be etched in the heart of Air India. RIP Captain. You will be missed.”

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A heavy police presence was seen at Sabharwal’s residence as several people came there to pay homage to the pilot. The mortal remains were kept at Sabharwal’s home for an hour for people to pay tribute, and his last rites were held at Chakala electric cremation ground

Sabharwal’s friends and colleagues from Air India carried his coffin from his home to Jal Vayu Mandir in the society on their shoulders and paid their last respects to their close friend. Three days before the fatal crash, the pilot had promised his father: “I’m going to leave my job now and take care of you.”

About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international… Read More Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international… Read More

First Published: June 17, 2025, 21:33 IST