Ahmedabad Plane Crash: Captain Clive Kunder’s mother cried after seeing her son’s dead body

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Ahmedabad Plane Crash: Captain Clive Kunder’s Grieving Mother Breaks Down at Son’s Final Farewell

In the aftermath of the tragic Air India Flight AI-171 crash on June 12 near Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, families of the victims have faced an agonizing wait for confirmation, identification, and the final rites of their loved ones. Among the 242 passengers and crew on board was First Officer (Co-Pilot) Clive Kunder, an experienced aviator with over 1,100 hours of flight time. On June 21, Kunder’s remains were returned to his hometown in Mumbai, and in a heart-wrenching scene, his elderly mother collapsed into tears as she embraced her son’s flag-draped coffin.

This article provides a comprehensive account of the crash, the identification process, Captain Kunder’s life and legacy, and the profound emotional toll on his family and colleagues.

The Fateful Flight: AI-171’s Final Moments

At 8:45 a.m. on June 12, Air India Flight AI-171—a Boeing 777 bound from Ahmedabad to London—taxied onto Runway 27 under the command of Captain Sumit Sabharwal, with First Officer Clive Kunder as his co-pilot. Weather conditions were reported as clear, with a slight crosswind that fell within operational limits. Passengers on board included business travelers, holidaymakers, and 12 cabin-crew members, all unaware of the catastrophe about to unfold.

According to preliminary data from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), AI-171 lifted off at 8:53 a.m. local time. Almost immediately afterward, the flight crew radioed a distress call to Ahmedabad Air Traffic Control (ATC):

“Madame, no power—no thrust—going down.”

Moments after this message, radar contact was lost. Eyewitnesses on the ground reported a sudden flash of light followed by a massive fireball just two kilometers from the airport perimeter, in a densely populated residential neighborhood.

Rescue and Recovery Efforts

Emergency services arrived on the scene within five minutes of the crash. Firefighters battled the intense blaze for nearly four hours, while medical teams set up makeshift triage units in nearby parks and community halls. Local volunteers and off-duty doctors from nearby hospitals joined the effort, carrying out search-and-rescue operations amid smoldering wreckage and shattered concrete.

By nightfall, authorities confirmed that 241 of the 242 individuals on board had perished. Miraculously, one passenger—identified as 28-year-old industrial transport consultant Vishwas Kumar Ramesh—survived with severe burn and fracture injuries.

A Mother’s Unbearable Grief

On the afternoon of June 21, a convoy carrying Captain Kunder’s remains arrived at his family residence in Goregaon West, Mumbai. His elderly parents and younger sister had gathered in the driveway, awaiting the somber delivery. When Kunder’s wooden coffin—adorned with the tri-color flag of India and surrounded by white lilies—was carried to the front gate, his 68-year-old mother, Mary Kunder, could no longer contain her anguish.

Clutching her son’s name-plaque to her chest, she staggered forward and wrapped her trembling arms around the coffin. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she pressed her face against the cold wood, softly whispering, “My child…my child…” Her frail hands patted the flag with a quivering rhythm as sobs racked her frame. Family members and well-wishers formed a protective circle, gently guiding Mary away once the identification procedure was complete.

In a brief statement, Captain Kunder’s father, Joseph Kunder, said, “Today we lay Clive to rest, but as parents, we have no real goodbye. He was too young, too full of life.”

Clive Kunder: From Childhood Dreams to Cockpit Realities

Born and raised in Mumbai’s Santa Cruz neighborhood in 1987, Clive Kunder developed an early fascination with airplanes. His childhood bedroom walls were plastered with posters of Boeing 747s and Airbus A320s. He would spend hours constructing paper models and scribbling flight plans in a worn-out notebook.

After completing his schooling at St. Xavier’s High School, he enrolled in the Government Flying Training School in Gondia, Maharashtra, earning his private pilot’s license at age 19. He joined Air India as a trainee first officer in 2015 and steadily climbed the ranks through rigorous simulator training and thousands of flight hours. Colleagues remember him as meticulous, calm under pressure, and always willing to mentor junior pilots.

In addition to flying, Clive was an avid cricket fan, often organizing impromptu games on weekends with fellow pilots and friends. He cherished family gatherings and celebrated every festival with traditional zeal, lighting candles during Diwali and singing hymns at Christmas services.

The Identification Process: Forensics and Final Evidence

In the week following the crash, recovery teams painstakingly combed through the debris field. Because of the intense heat and fragmentation, conventional visual identification proved impossible. DNA profiling became the primary method for confirming identities.

The Ahmedabad Police Forensic Laboratory collected bone fragments and tissue samples from the site, cross-referencing them with blood and buccal (cheek) swabs provided by the families of missing crew and passengers. In Captain Kunder’s case, dental records—secured by his family dentist—and DNA samples obtained from his immediate kin provided conclusive matches.

Mumbai’s Colaba Forensic Laboratory received the trunk-mounted remains on June 20 and completed its analysis the next day. Following the DNA confirmation, Air India officials and local police arranged for the dignified repatriation of Kunder’s remains to his family in Mumbai.

Funeral Rites: A Christian Farewell

On June 22, Clive Kunder’s body was laid out at his brother’s residence in Goregaon West, where mourners—including friends, former schoolmates, and fellow pilots—filed past the open coffin to pay their respects. A private Mass was held by Father Michael Fernandes, during which hymns such as “Amazing Grace” and “How Great Thou Art” echoed through the living room.

Later that morning, the cortege proceeded to Sewri Christian Cemetery in South Mumbai. In a service blending solemn scripture readings and heartfelt eulogies, Joseph Kunder shared memories of his son’s first solo flight, calling it “Clive’s greatest milestone”—not because of the achievement itself but because of the pride in his parents’ eyes.

As the priest sprinkled holy water and recited the final commendation, Mary Kunder placed a single rose atop Clive’s casket, then joined in the final procession to the cremation platform. With each chant of “Grant him eternal rest,” dozens of mourners threw petals onto the pyre. The flames rose, carrying Captain Kunder to his last journey—an end as momentous as the takeoff that had launched his promising career.

Colleagues’ Tributes: The Aviation Community in Mourning

The news of Clive Kunder’s death rippled through India’s aviation fraternity. On social media, pilots and flight attendants shared their grief:

“Clive was the calmest, most affable co-pilot I ever flew with,” tweeted Captain Aarav D’Souza, an Air India colleague.
“His dedication to safety and teamwork inspired me every day,” wrote senior First Officer Neha Joshi on LinkedIn.
The Air India Pilot’s Guild held a moment of silence at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on June 23, pausing all flight operations for two minutes.

In a joint statement, Captain Sumit Sabharwal and the families of the cabin crew expressed their sorrow and pledged to support each other as they awaited the final DGCA investigation report.

Investigating the Causes: What Happened to Flight AI-171?

The Aircraft Accidents Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has been leading the crash inquiry in coordination with the DGCA and international aviation authorities. Key areas of focus include:

Engines and Thrust Reversers: Preliminary examination of engine components has revealed signs of sudden power loss. Maintenance logs are under review for any anomalies.
Fuel Quality Checks: Samples from fuel tanks and hydrant systems are being tested for contamination or irregularities.
Runway Conditions: Surface friction coefficients and lighting systems are being re-evaluated to rule out environmental factors.
Air Traffic Control Communications: All radio transmissions, including the final distress call, are being analyzed to reconstruct the timeline of events.
Flight-Data and Cockpit-Voice Recorders: Both black boxes were recovered and flown to New Delhi’s crash analysis center. Data download is complete, and transcript analysis is ongoing.

AAIB Chairman V.K. Sinha cautioned against drawing premature conclusions: “We owe it to the families, the aviation industry, and the public to conduct a thorough, impartial investigation. We anticipate a preliminary report within three months and a final report by September 2025.”

Broader Impact: Passenger Safety and Regulatory Response

In response to the crash, the DGCA has issued immediate safety directives to all Indian carriers:

Enhanced Pre-Flight Checks: Mandatory cross-verification of engine-performance parameters before takeoff.
Fatigue Management: Revisions to crew-rest schedules to prevent human-factor errors.
Emergency-Landing Protocols: Additional simulator drills emphasizing engine-failure scenarios during initial climb.

Opposition lawmakers and aviation experts have called for an independent judicial commission, citing systemic lapses in oversight and maintenance practices. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has assured that all recommendations from the AAIB will be implemented without delay.

Remembering the Fallen: A Community in Mourning

The AI-171 crash claimed more than crew and passengers; it shattered the lives of families who watched the skies in hope rather than horror. In Ahmedabad, memorial services have sprung up in temples, mosques, churches, and community halls. Candles and floral tributes surround portraits of the victims. Social-media campaigns such as #FlySafeIndia and #RememberAI171 have united citizens in collective remembrance.

For the Kunder family, the loss of Clive transcends statistics. As Mary Kunder wept over her son’s coffin, she lamented not only his death but the dreams that would now remain unfulfilled—pilgrimages he’d yet to make, nieces and nephews he’d never meet, and the comforting presence of a devoted son.

Moving Forward: Lessons and Legacies

The crash of Flight AI-171 will leave an indelible mark on India’s aviation history. As investigators piece together the mechanical, human, and environmental factors behind the disaster, the emphasis must remain on preventing future tragedies. Captain Clive Kunder’s commitment to excellence and safety exemplifies the highest standards of the profession. His legacy will endure through:

Scholarships and Training Grants: Air India has announced the Clive Kunder Memorial Scholarship to support aspiring pilots from underrepresented communities.
Safety Seminars: Annual symposiums on human factors in aviation, hosted in Mumbai and Ahmedabad, will feature case studies from AI-171.
Family-Support Networks: Enhanced counseling and financial-assistance programs for families affected by air disasters.

Conclusion

On a serene Thursday morning, Flight AI-171 vanished from radar screens, leaving behind smoldering wreckage and the shattered dreams of 241 souls. Among them was First Officer Clive Kunder—a pilot whose life embodied passion for flight, devotion to family, and unwavering professionalism. His mother’s tearful farewell is a testament to the profound human cost of aviation tragedies.

As the nation awaits the findings of a meticulous investigation, we honor Captain Kunder’s memory and the sacrifice of all who perished. Their stories remind us that behind every flight number lies a tapestry of lives, hopes, and ambitions. It falls upon regulators, airlines, and the flying community to translate this loss into safer skies for generations to come.

May Captain Clive Kunder’s final flight inspire a future where precision, vigilance, and compassion coalesce to ensure that no mother’s tears are shed in vain.

Our hearts—and our skies—are with the families of AI-171, today and always.

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