The disaster occurred when Air India Flight 171, with a mixed crew of seasoned and rising pilots, departed from Ahmedabad, en route to London. During its ascent, disaster struck just seconds after takeoff. Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, 55, who was contemplating early retirement to care for his elderly father, and co-pilot Clive Kunder, 32, who was eager to make his mark in aviation, both faced an unimaginable situation.
The aircraft, a Boeing 787, plummeted into a nearby medical college campus, instantly killing over 270 people, including both pilots. The intensity of the crash left many bodies unrecognizable, complicating identification efforts. As of now, only 19 victims have been identified through DNA tests.
Investigators are tirelessly collecting data from the crash site, having already secured the flight data recorder and are in pursuit of the cockpit voice recorder. These devices hold crucial information that could explain the events leading up to the crash, determining whether the cause lay with mechanical issues, human error, or another unexpected factor.
The chaos following the impact has left the aviation community and families of the victims in shock, emphasizing the need for answers and closure. As investigations proceed, the tragic story of Flight 171 will remain in the hearts of those it touched.
