In photographs & movies: The emotional farewell of Air India pilot Captain Sabharwal

A sombre silence hung over Jal Vayu Vihar in Mumbai’s Powai on Tuesday morning, as Captain Sumeet Sabharwal’s physique returned dwelling.

The Air India pilot, who died in final week’s Flight AI-171 crash in Ahmedabad, was introduced again to the neighbourhood the place he had spent most of his life.

Household, associates, neighbours, and colleagues gathered to supply their remaining respects. Nevertheless, one of the crucial heartbreaking moments got here when Captain Sabharwal’s 88-year-old father, visibly shattered, stood beside his son’s coffin and carried out the ultimate prayers.

#WATCH | #AirIndiaPlaneCrash | Maharashtra: Father of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, Pushkaraj pays emotional tribute to his son exterior their residence in Powai, Mumbai.

Captain Sabharwal was flying the ill-fated London-bound Air India flight that crashed quickly after take off in… pic.twitter.com/NStRiMM6BY

— ANI (@ANI) June 17, 2025

A retired DGCA official himself, he had been trying ahead to spending extra time along with his son, who was simply months away from retirement. That second will now by no means come.

Neighbours who had identified him for years remembered him with heat and pleasure. “The household has been right here for many years. He’s left a legacy of grace and braveness,” mentioned one. One other instructed NDTV, “We didn’t communicate a lot, however I do know he should’ve carried out every part to save lots of lives. He was a hero. I’m deeply disturbed.”

Mumbai, Maharashtra: Individuals paid their final respects to Captain Sumeet Sabharwal at a crematorium the place his mortal stays have been introduced for the final rites. His final rites have now been carried out.

He was flying the ill-fated London-bound Air India flight that crashed quickly after… pic.twitter.com/BUINNDUbYb

— ANI (@ANI) June 17, 2025

At 56, Captain Sabharwal was the senior-most crew member on the flight. In accordance with DGCA information, he had logged over 8,200 flying hours — although a lot of his colleagues imagine his true expertise was even higher, with older hours probably lacking from the present system.

“I flew with him for a lot of a long time,” an emotional former cabin crew member instructed NDTV. “We shared meals, recollections, and lengthy hauls. He was a devoted son and an extremely expert pilot. All the time peaceable, composed, and grounded. By no means flaunted his place, only a great soul.”

Preliminary reviews recommend Captain Sabharwal issued a
“Mayday” name
shortly after takeoff, probably attempting to steer the plane away from densely populated areas. His actions might have saved many lives in that remaining second of disaster.

“He tried his finest. He sacrificed his life to save lots of others. I salute him,” a detailed pal instructed the information outlet. Whereas one other added, “Sumeet was a beautiful particular person. I can’t management my tears. He took such loving care of his father. So calm, so affected person. We’ve misplaced a really good human being.”

VIDEO | Ahmedabad Air India Aircraft Crash: Current Air India Captains, and colleagues of late Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, Kapil Kohal and Shankar Chaudhary communicate to PTI.

Kapil Kohal says, “He was a batch senior to us. For us, he was only a colleague till now, however as we speak, I,… pic.twitter.com/PdsqaL5vYd

— Press Belief of India (@PTI_News) June 17, 2025

He’s survived by his elder sister, who lives in Delhi. As reported by The Indian Specific, her two sons have adopted of their uncle’s footsteps and are each business pilots.

After the prayer, the physique was taken to the Chakala electrical crematorium for the ultimate rites. By way of the morning, over a thousand folks visited to pay their respects, a robust reminder of the quiet, enduring affect Captain Sabharwal had on these round him, each within the skies and on the bottom.

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