A community steeped in sorrow came together in Jal Vayu Vihar on Tuesday morning to pay their last respects to Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, the Air India pilot who tragically lost his life in the crash of Flight AI-171 in Ahmedabad. His remains arrived early in the day and were received in silence by grieving family members and friends before being taken to his childhood home in Powai, where the air was thick with quiet heartbreak.

The 56-year-old pilot had been planning to leave his profession to care for his elderly father, Pushkaraj Sabharwal—a retired DGCA official—according to close family and friends. Just days before the crash, he had shared his decision to step away from flying permanently. “Sumit had spoken to him just three days ago, saying he wanted to leave flying and come home to care for him,” said family friend Dilip Lande. “His father couldn’t say a word. His eyes were filled with tears.”

Captain Sabharwal and his Flying History

As per reports, Captain Sabharwal had logged over 8,200 flight hours and was commanding the London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner that crashed on June 12, shortly after departing Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The aircraft issued a “Mayday” distress call soon after takeoff, reaching only 650 feet before it plummeted into the BJ Medical College hostel complex. The devastating crash claimed 270 lives, including 29 people on the ground. Only one survivor has been reported. Investigations are underway by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) in collaboration with the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

“He tried his best. He sacrificed his life to save others. I salute him,” said a close friend, reflecting on reports that Sabharwal may have diverted the aircraft to avoid more densely populated areas in a final, heroic move. Another mourner, the wife of an Air India pilot, added, “Sumeet was a wonderful person. I can’t control my tears. He took such loving care of his father. So calm, so patient. We’ve lost a truly good human being.”

Earlier in the day, emotional scenes unfolded at the family’s residence. The coffin was placed in front of the building’s small temple, where a soft prayer ritual was conducted. “Very sad, a young life taken away. Unimaginable,” said veteran industrialist Niranjan Hiranandani, who had come to pay tribute. “This is a thoughtful moment, we need to study this thoroughly. We cannot afford to go like this again. The family is devastated. The only justice now is to ensure this moment leads to answers, to reforms. Safety and security must be a priority, not just in aviation, but in every sector.”

Local Residents Paid Last Visit to Sabharwal

Residents of Jal Vayu Vihar, many of whom had known the Sabharwal family for decades, gathered quietly with hands folded and eyes wet with tears. “We didn’t speak much, but I know he must’ve done everything to save lives. He was a hero. I’m deeply disturbed,” said a neighbour. Another added, “The family has been here for decades. He’s left a legacy of grace and courage.”

Captain Sabharwal’s body was later transported in a hearse to the Chakala electric crematorium, where the final rites were performed. His father, barely able to stand and visibly shaken, stood beside the coffin throughout the rituals. No formal eulogies were given at the cremation—only the heavy silence of loss and the bowed heads of hundreds who had gathered to honour the fallen pilot.

A longtime colleague from the cabin crew remembered, “I flew with him for many decades. We shared meals, memories, and long hauls. He was a dedicated son and an incredibly skilled pilot. Always peaceful, composed, and grounded. Never flaunted his position, just a wonderful soul.”

Visitors Remembers Sabharwal

Also present was Usha Talwadekar, who had worked alongside Sabharwal in the airline. “He was always low-profile. A thorough gentleman. No ego, always smiling. Such a sweet person,” she said, reflecting on his character.

Among the visitors were prominent public figures including local MLA Dilip Lande and numerous aviation industry peers. Throughout the day, over a thousand people made their way to the Sabharwal residence—friends, former colleagues, neighbours, and strangers moved by his story. The steady stream of mourners was a testament to the profound yet understated impact Captain Sabharwal had on those around him.

While the investigation into the crash continues, the pilot’s actions in his final moments are seen as a last act of duty—an effort to minimise loss in the face of impending disaster. His final flight may have ended in devastation, but Captain Sumeet Sabharwal’s name now takes flight in the hearts of those who remember him not only as a seasoned aviator, but as a man of humility, responsibility, and compassion.