Dreams cut short: Families mourn young crew as Air India crash leaves heartbreak and silence
New Delhi: As Air India flight AI 171 crashed into a doctors’ hostel in Ahmedabad on Thursday, just minutes after takeoff, it shattered not just a building but a web of dreams, promises, and futures. Among those on board were young crew members whose lives were full of plans—many of which will now remain forever unfinished.
Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a seasoned pilot with over 8,200 flying hours, had recently vowed to step back from his demanding schedule to spend time with his 82-year-old father, a former DGCA official, Times of India reported.
“A few days ago, he promised to take a break to spend time with his father,” said MLA Dilip Mama Lande after meeting the bereaved family, according to the report.
For co-pilot Clive Kunder’s loved ones, silence rang louder than any message.
“Clive’s parents are in Australia, visiting their daughter. We are all very shocked,” said his former landlord Kenneth Carvalho, TOI reported.
His brother Danny, who resides in the city, was unreachable for comment.
Cabin crew member Aparna Mahadik, 42, is survived by her husband Amol, also part of the airline’s crew and nephew of NCP MP Sunil Tatkare.
The couple lived in Oberoi Esquire, Goregaon East.
In Juhu Koliwada, grief descended on the Chakravarti household.
Saineeta Chakravarti, who had recently moved from IndiGo to Air India, had not had a chance to bid farewell to her elderly parents. “Her elderly parents learned of the tragedy through neighbours and television news reports. The family was yet to receive any formal communication from Air India.”
Among the deceased were also Nganthoi Sharma K from Manipur, Shradha Dhavan, and Irfan Shaikh.
According to the report, Deepak Pathak, who lived in Badlapur’s Katrap with his wife and parents, had been with Air India for 11 years. His mother last spoke with him the same morning. “Deepak had informed his mother in the morning that he was in Ahmedabad, headed to London. After the incident, his family members kept calling him, but his phone was unreachable.”
Roshni Songhare, a young cabin crew member and social media influencer from Dombivli, lived with her parents and brother in Rajaji Path. Her father and brother left for Ahmedabad in the evening, the TOI report said.
For 22-year-old Maithili Patil from Nhava in Uran, aviation was more than a job—it was a dream realised.
“She always wanted to take up aviation as a career. She last spoke on the phone with her father at 11.30 am from Ahmedabad, to say she was on her way to London,” said her maternal uncle Jitendra Mhatre, TOI reported.
Her stunned parents were left in speechless grief.
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