There were emotional scenes in Goregaon West on Thursday as family, close friends, and neighbours came together to say their last goodbye to Clive Kunder, the young Air India co-pilot who tragically died in this week’s plane crash in Ahmedabad.
His body was brought back to Mumbai and taken to his family’s home, where people who knew him gathered in quiet grief. Later, Clive was laid to rest at Sewri Christian Cemetery, following a simple and heartfelt funeral.
Clive, who lived with his elderly parents and younger sister, had only recently started his journey as a commercial pilot. Those close to him say he was deeply passionate about flying and had big dreams for his future, dreams that were tragically cut short when Flight AI 171, headed for London, crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.
The flight was carrying 242 people, including passengers and crew. Sadly, no one survived. The crash also claimed the lives of 29 people on the ground, bringing the total number of victims to 270.
Authorities say the aircraft was being flown by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a veteran pilot with over 8,000 hours of flying experience, alongside First Officer Clive Kunder, who had logged more than 1,000 hours. The plane reportedly sent out a distress call just seconds before it crashed into a hostel building near BJ Medical College. Ahmedabad plane crash has been the most grieving tragedy.
Clive’s death has left a deep void in the lives of everyone who knew him. He was kind, hard-working, and full of promise. His loss is being felt far beyond his home touching the entire aviation community.
