“Heartbreaking Final Words of Air India Pilot Before Tragic Crash That Claimed 260 Lives

In a devastating tragedy that has left the world in shock, the final words of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, the senior pilot of Air India Flight AI171, have been revealed, offering a poignant glimpse into the moments before one of India’s worst aviation disasters. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, carrying 242 passengers and crew, crashed into a residential area in Ahmedabad, India, on June 12, 2025, killing 241 people on board and 19 on the ground. As investigators piece together the cause of the catastrophe, the last words Captain Sabharwal spoke before leaving home that fateful day have struck a chord with many.

A Pilot’s Final Farewell

Hours before boarding the ill-fated flight, Captain Sabharwal, a veteran pilot with over 8,200 flying hours, spoke to a security guard at his apartment complex in Powai, Mumbai. His words were simple yet heart-wrenching: “Please, take care of papa. I will be back soon.” These words, reported by The Daily Mail, were directed toward ensuring the care of his elderly father, whom Sabharwal had been considering retiring to look after. Tragically, the 56-year-old captain would never return home.

The Air India flight, bound for London’s Gatwick Airport, crashed just 36 seconds after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. The plane slammed into a medical college hostel, erupting into a fireball that claimed the lives of nearly everyone on board, except for one survivor, a British national of Indian origin. The crash also killed several people on the ground, bringing the total death toll to at least 260.

The Final Moments in the Cockpit

As investigators delve into the cause of the crash, preliminary reports have revealed chilling details from the cockpit voice recorder. Moments before the disaster, Captain Sabharwal issued a desperate distress call to Ahmedabad Air Traffic Control: “Thrust not achieved… falling… Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!” The call, received just seconds before communication ceased, indicated a catastrophic loss of thrust at an altitude of only 625 feet. The aircraft, unable to climb, plummeted into the Meghani Nagar residential area.

Further details from the cockpit voice recorder suggest confusion between Sabharwal and his co-pilot, 28-year-old Clive Kunder. A preliminary report indicates that the plane’s fuel switches, which control the flow of fuel to the engines, were inexplicably moved to the “Cutoff” position shortly after takeoff. One pilot was heard asking, “Why did you cut off?” to which the other responded, “I didn’t.” Desperate attempts were made to restore the fuel flow, but it was too late to save the aircraft.

A Nation Mourns and Questions Arise

The crash, the first fatal incident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, has raised serious questions about the aircraft’s maintenance, potential mechanical failures, and the possibility of human error. India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), with assistance from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), is analyzing the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder to uncover the exact cause of the tragedy. Initial inspections have found no significant faults with the plane or its engines, leaving investigators puzzled about how the fuel switches were turned off at such a critical moment.

Families of the victims, devastated by their loss, are demanding answers. Nareshsinh Thakore, who lost family members on the ground, expressed frustration to the BBC: “How can I comment on the findings of the report? We don’t have any technical knowledge to understand it.” Others, like Dr. Mario Donadi, a colleague of one of the victims, called the preliminary report “a huge slap in the face,” highlighting the lack of clarity. The Indian Civil Aviation Minister, Ram Mohan Naidu, has urged the public not to jump to conclusions, emphasizing that a final report is expected next year.

A Hero’s Legacy

Captain Sabharwal was described by colleagues as a “thorough gentleman” and a seasoned professional. His co-pilot, Clive Kunder, was a young aviator with a promising career ahead. Together, they brought nearly 10,000 hours of flight experience to the cockpit, yet they had only seconds to respond to the catastrophic failure that doomed Flight AI171.

As the investigation continues, the world mourns the lives lost in this horrific tragedy. Sabharwal’s final words to the security guard echo as a haunting reminder of the personal sacrifices made by those who take to the skies. His promise to return home, unfulfilled, underscores the fragility of life and the unpredictable nature of fate.

Air India has pledged to cooperate fully with the investigation and has begun enhanced safety inspections of its Boeing 787 fleet. Meanwhile, the global aviation community watches closely, hoping for answers that will prevent such a tragedy from happening again.

Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones affected by this devastating crash. Stay tuned for updates as the investigation unfolds.