Heartbreaking Tragedy at Ahmedabad: The Untold Stories of Air India’s Dreamliner Crew

On a bright Thursday afternoon in June, as the sun hung high over Gujarat’s bustling capital, Ahmedabad, an Air India Dreamliner prepared for its routine flight. On board were twelve dedicated crew members—stories of sacrifice, aspiration, and devotion woven into every seat and corridor of that aircraft. Among them were two veteran pilots, soon-to-retire Captain Sumit Sabharwal and Co-Pilot Clive Kunder, as well as flight attendants whose laughter and kindness had touched countless travelers. Yet within minutes, that ordinary flight turned into a national tragedy, ripping away lives and leaving loved ones shattered.

Below is an immersive account of the people behind the uniforms—each with dreams, families, and ambitions—whose final journey became the most heartrending chapter of their lives.

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1. The Day Dawned Like Any Other

Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport was alive with activity. Passengers queued at counters, cargo shipments steamed through conveyor belts, and the Earth’s gentle hum of jet engines promised destinations near and far. Flight AI-870, bound for Mumbai, stood at Gate 14: a gleaming Boeing 787 Dreamliner whose graceful curves embodied comfort and modernity.

Inside the cockpit, Captain Sumit Sabharwal, 60, ran through his preflight checklist with calm precision. Having joined Air India over three decades ago, Sumit was legendary among colleagues for his steady hand and fatherly demeanor. Retirement loomed just months away; he often joked that he was counting down the hours until he could return to Pavé, the quiet Mumbai suburb where his elderly father lived.

“Nine thousand hours in the air,” Sumit murmured, glancing at his flight log. “One more safe landing, then I can hang up my wings.”

Beside him, First Officer Clive Kunder, 28, listened intently. Clive had amassed 1,100 flight hours in three years, a testament to his ambition and skill. A Goan native, he had dreamed of flying since childhood—watching planes soar over the beaches of Panaji and vowing that one day, he would sit at their controls.

This pairing of seasoned experience and youthful enthusiasm formed the flight’s backbone. Behind them, the cabin crew prepared to welcome passengers with warm smiles and impeccable service. Unbeknownst to everyone, this ordinary assembly of professionals would soon face the unthinkable.

2. Captain Sumit Sabharwal: A Final Mission

2.1 Pavé’s Pride

Sumit’s life had revolved around two loves: the sky and his family. His father, Mr. Rajesh Sabharwal, 85, lived alone in Pavé’s Climate Enclave, finding solace in memories of his only son’s childhood. Every phone call from Sumit brightened the old man’s day.

That Thursday morning, Sumit called home one final time before boarding. His father answered on the third ring:

“Hello, mere beta?”
“Papa, everything’s good. Mumbai by evening, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

When the crash news reached Pavé, Rajesh lamented, “He was due to retire and spend more time with me. Now those plans…gone.”

2.2 A Legacy in the Making

Sumit’s two sons followed his path. Elder son Akshay, 32, captained cargo flights into Europe; younger son Rohit, 29, served as a junior first officer. Both looked up to their father’s meticulous professionalism. As word of the accident spread, messages of condolence poured in—pilots he had mentored, students he had coached at the Air India Flying Academy, and colleagues he had guided through turbulence both literal and emotional.

His final flight, intended as a quiet bow to an illustrious career, instead etched his name forever into headlines of sorrow.

3. First Officer Clive Kunder: Dreams Cut Short

3.1 From Goa to the Cockpit

Clive’s journey began in Mapusa, Goa, where his father owned a small bakery and his mother taught at the local primary school. Every morning, a young Clive dashed to the beach to watch inbound flights, mesmerized by their roar. His parents scrimped to send him to aviation school, believing in his star-bound destiny.

“I told them I’d bring honor to our family name,” Clive later recalled in a regional magazine. “They believed in me when I didn’t yet believe in myself.”

3.2 The Cap of Responsibility

At 28, Clive carried the weight of two families: his parents and his fiancé, Danisha, a pediatric nurse in Mumbai. They had planned a small wedding next March; honeymoon airfare had already been booked. Less than an hour before the crash, his last text read simply: “See you tonight, my love. Safe skies ahead.”

After the tragedy, Danisha could not bring herself to remove the engagement ring Clive had gifted her. Their future—filled with laughter, children, perhaps another wedding anniversary milestone—vanished in a matter of seconds.

4. The Invisible Heroes: Cabin Crew Profiles

In the cabin, ten flight attendants prepared for another routine service. Their tasks—safety demonstrations, meal service, comforting anxious travelers—required both professionalism and genuine warmth. For each, the uniform represented a dream realized.

4.1 Deepak Pathak: The Dutiful Son

Age: 35
Hometown: Badlapur, Maharashtra
Air India Tenure: 11 years

Deepak had always been the dependable one. As the eldest son, he balanced work and family obligations—sending remittances home, paying for his younger sister’s wedding, and never missing the nightly call to his mother.

“Har flight se pehle I call Mum,” Deepak once laughed in an in-flight interview. That ritual was his way of grounding himself, ensuring his mother’s voice was the first he heard each day.

On that fateful flight, he had paused by the galley phone to dial home. But he never reached his mother’s voicemail. Instead, he rushed back to prepare the cabin—unaware that duty would demand everything of him.

4.2 Sanita “Pinky” Chakraborty: The Juhu Dreamer

Age: 35
Nickname: Pinky
Hometown: Juhu, Mumbai
Education: Minal Vidyalaya, Mithibai College

Sanita was known affectionately as “Pinky” by passengers and colleagues alike. A vibrant presence, she had switched from GoAir to Air India last year, drawn by the Dreamliner’s modern amenities and a promise of expanded routes.

She had told friends she wished to start an aviation academy in Juhu, offering free training to underprivileged girls. Her Instagram—where nearly 20,000 followers glimpsed her glowing selfies—often featured motivational quotes: “Sky is not the limit; it’s just the beginning.”

Her family arranged a small prayer ritual in their Juhu home, candles flickering as neighbors whispered prayers for their “angel of the skies.”

4.3 Maithili Moreswar Patil: The Village Star

Age: 24
Hometown: Nahavane, Panvel
Education: TS Rehman School (Grade 12), Aviation Course Graduate

Maithili grew up dreaming of higher horizons in Nagpur, where flight attendants from elite airlines seemed distant celebrities. Despite her family’s modest means, they supported her ambition—saving every rupee so she could complete an aviation course. After graduation, Shirdi-bound pilgrims and weekend travelers knew her gentle voice from the PA system.

On her last weekend home, she had helped her mother pick mangos in the village orchard, laughing under the summer sun. Her death plunged Nahavane into mourning; neighbors spoke of a girl whose kindness echoed beyond her hometown.

4.4 Roshni Rajendra Songhare: The Social Media Star

Age: 27
Hometown: Dombivli, Maharashtra
Followers: 54,000+ on Instagram

Roshni’s bubbly personality and travel vlogs made her an overnight sensation. Known affectionately as the “Flight-Deck Diva,” she posted safety tips peppered with humor, turning anxious flyers into loyal fans. Her hashtags—#SkyHighWithRoshni, #CrewLife—garnered thousands of views.

Just days before, she had teased a new series exploring hidden gems of Mumbai. Now her final stories remained frozen in time, a poignant reminder of laughter cut short.

4.5 The Manipur Duo: Kong Vrail Lasanthgoi Sharma & Lamthenem Singhson

Ages: 26 and 24
Hometowns: Thoubal District & Kangpokpi District, Manipur
Both had earned coveted positions as cabin crew, the first young women from their villages to join a national airline. They carried with them the hopes of entire communities hungry for representation and opportunity.

Family elders in Manipur lit traditional lamps and performed rites, praying for their safe return. When news arrived, wails of grief broke the dawn’s stillness, and distant relatives embarked on 24-hour journeys to Ahmedabad, armed with photos and shrouds.

5. The Flight Takes Off—And the World Watches

At 12:45 PM, Flight AI-870 lifted gracefully from Ahmedabad’s runway, bound for Mumbai. Passengers sank into seats, cell phones switched from “Flight Mode” as announcements flowed:

“Welcome aboard, ladies and gentlemen. I’m your captain, Sumit Sabharwal, along with First Officer Clive Kunder. We anticipate a smooth flight and clear skies. Cabin crew, please be seated for takeoff.”

For ten minutes, the Dreamliner soared above Gujarat’s patchwork fields. In the cockpit, Sumit noted strong tailwinds; Clive checked en route weather. In the cabin, Deepak greeted families; Pinky entertained a toddler with magic tricks; Maithili guided an elderly passenger to the restroom; Roshni snapped a quick selfie to mark her day off. Kong and Lamthenem moved quietly, ensuring seat belts were fastened.

And then, as the aircraft passed 15,000 feet in altitude, a sudden lurch jolted the cabin.

6. Chaos Above the Clouds

6.1 Turbulence or Something More?

At first, passengers assumed light turbulence. But the cabin lights flickered, and an eerie silence followed:

Sumit (over the intercom): “Ladies and gentlemen, remain calm. We’re experiencing technical issues. Please secure yourself and await further instructions.”

Moments later, alarms blared in the cockpit. The Dreamliner shuddered violently, as if gripped by unseen hands. Co-Pilot Kunder tapped switches with precision, attempting to stabilize thrust and avionics. But systems began to fail in rapid succession—altitude controls, hydraulic pumps, then communications.

6.2 Final Efforts

In the cabin, the crew fought to calm frightened passengers. Pinky’s soothing voice rang out: “We’re trained for this. Trust us. We’ll get you down safe.” Deepak handed oxygen masks to elderly travelers; Maithili began guiding families through brace positions. Roshni hugged a child, whispering encouragement. In the aisle, Kong and Lamthenem formed a human chain, linking calm gestures to terrified eyes.

Captain Sabharwal, sensing imminent disaster, issued a final plea:

Sumit (to ATC): “Ahmedabad Tower, we need an emergency descent—now!”

But as the plane pitched downward, a deafening roar filled the cabin. In less than a minute, the Dreamliner, once a symbol of technological triumph, hurtled toward the earth.

7. Impact and Immediate Aftermath

The aircraft struck the outskirts of Ahmedabad’s runway—trees, airport fencing, and finally, terminal grounds. The impact zone was chaotic: smoke billowed, metal groaned, and, despite heroic rescue attempts, all twelve crew members perished on the spot. Five passengers survived with critical injuries; others lay unconscious as first responders rushed in.

For India, the shock was deafening. News 24 cut into programming with urgent bulletins: “Air India Dreamliner Crashes at Ahmedabad—Multiple Casualties.” Viewers watched in horror, hoping for miracles that never came for the crew.

8. Grief Across the Nation

In Mumbai and beyond, families learned of the catastrophe through frantic phone calls and social-media alerts. Funeral preparations began immediately:

In Pavé, white-clad neighbors carried out rituals for Sumit Sabharwal, lowering coconut oils and chanting mantras.
In Goa, Clive Kunder’s bakery went silent, customers paying tributes at the doorstep. His parents wept openly, unable to process the news.
In Badlapur, Deepak Pathak’s village held an impromptu vigil under strings of marigold.
In Juhu, Pinky’s family converted their living room into a condolence center, where friends bound scrolls of condolence letters.
In Nahavane, villagers erected a statue of Maithili as a symbol of courage and hope.
In Dombivli, Roshni’s Instagram followers flew kites with her photo, a virtual memorial across Mumbai’s skyline.
In Manipur, laments echoed through valleys as elders prepared to bring their daughters home in flower-draped coffins.

9. Investigations and Tributes

India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) launched a joint inquiry with Boeing engineers and Air India specialists. Preliminary findings pointed to an unforeseen avionics failure compounding pilot response time. Yet amidst technical jargon, one sentiment remained universal: the crew’s valor.

Air India announced posthumous promotions and instituted “Crew Member Bravery Awards” in their honor. The Sabharwal family established a scholarship for aspiring pilots; Clive’s fiancée, Danisha, started a foundation for aviation safety research. Colleagues from across the airline network gathered to dedicate a corner of Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport as the “Heroes’ Pavilion,” featuring portraits of the twelve crew.

News 24’s sprawling coverage humanized each victim, broadcasting family interviews and unseen cabin footage where the crew’s professionalism shone through even in crisis.

10. Remembering Their Legacies

Though the Dreamliner rests in wreckage, the twelve lives lost that day continue to inspire:

Captain Sumit Sabharwal: A mentor to thousands, his final mission underscored a lifetime of courage.
First Officer Clive Kunder: A beacon of ambition for small-town dreamers.
Deepak Pathak: The son who never forgot his roots.
Sanita “Pinky” Chakraborty: A role model for young women in aviation.
Maithili Patil: Proof that humble beginnings can reach lofty heights.
Roshni Songhare: The social-media sensation who turned fear into laughter.
Kong Vrail Lasanthgoi & Lamthenem Singhson: The first daughters of Manipur to touch the sky—whose sacrifice awakened pride in remote communities.

Each name, each story, weaves into India’s tapestry of resilience. Grief remains fresh; tragedy cannot be undone. Yet through memorials, scholarships, and charity initiatives, their spirit endures.

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11. Epilogue: Lessons Carved in Memory

The Dreamliner disaster at Ahmedabad stands as a stark reminder of aviation’s fragility—and of the human devotion that underpins every flight. In cockpits and cabins, unseen heroes shoulder the weight of safety, service, and hope. When mechanical failures strike, it is their bravery that offers us a fighting chance.

For the families left behind, the void is immeasurable. Yet in telling their stories, we honor their sacrifices and ensure they are never forgotten. As India’s skies fill with planes once more, travelers board––unaware of the faces lost in Ahmedabad. But their legacy whispers in every safety briefing, echoes in every check-in greeting, and soars above us, reminding the world that heroes walk among us—often in uniforms, sometimes in silence, and always in hearts.