What Happened to Captain Sumeet Sabharwal in the Ahmedabad Plane Crash?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Captain Sumeet Sabharwal was a seasoned pilot with over 30 years of experience.
- The tragic crash claimed the lives of 270 individuals, including passengers and people on the ground.
- An extensive investigation is underway, involving international aviation authorities.
- Family and friends are gathering to pay their respects to the late pilot.
Mumbai, June 17 (NationPress) The remains of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, the Air India pilot who tragically lost his life in the Ahmedabad plane crash, were returned to his family in Mumbai on Tuesday.
Sabharwal was at the controls of the Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner when it tragically went down. Along with him, 240 other passengers lost their lives on June 12. The incident also claimed lives on the ground, raising the total number of fatalities to 270.
Captain Sabharwal, a highly experienced pilot with over 30 years in aviation, was one of the nine crew members from Mumbai on the ill-fated Air India Flight 171, which was bound for London.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) reported that Sabharwal had accumulated more than 8,200 flying hours. However, his colleagues believe the actual figure might be higher, as the DGCA's digital records may not fully represent his extensive flying background.
"He assured his family from the airport that he would call again after landing in London," stated a relative. "That call never happened, and his last communication was likely with air traffic control just moments before the aircraft went down."
His remains were taken to his home in Jalvayu Vihar in Powai, Mumbai, where police were deployed to manage the crowd.
On Friday, representatives from a medical laboratory came to collect DNA samples from Captain Sabharwal's family for identification purposes. The identification process was completed before his remains were prepared for the final rites.
A condolence gathering is planned at his home in Jalvayu Vihar Society, where family, friends, and fellow crew members are expected to pay their respects to the esteemed pilot.
Meanwhile, a specialized team of international aviation investigators and Boeing officials has arrived in Ahmedabad to assist the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) in examining the details surrounding the crash.
This investigative team includes representatives from the United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the United Kingdom's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), as confirmed by multiple sources.
Their participation aligns with international civil aviation standards, specifically Annex 13 of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), which calls for cooperative investigations involving the country of aircraft manufacture and those with significant victim representation.