The two Air India pilots of the crashed jet
The two pilots operating the Air India Boeing 787 that crashed last year were Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kunder. As investigators continue examining the cause of the accident, details about the pilots' training, experience and careers have come under public focus. Indian investigators are expected to delay the final crash report beyond the first anniversary of the accident as they complete an analysis of the aircraft's engines. Captain Sumeet Sabharwal Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, 56, was one of Air India's most experienced pilots. He held an airline transport pilot's licence valid until May 14, 2026, and was qualified to command Boeing 787, Boeing 777 and Airbus A310 aircraft. According to the preliminary investigation report, he had logged 15,638 flying hours during his career, including 8,596 hours on the Boeing 787. A Times of India report said Sabharwal spoke to his family from the airport before departure and told them he would call again after landing in London. A pilot who had briefly interacted with him told Reuters he was a "gentleman." After the crash, Sabharwal's father approached the Supreme Court seeking an independent investigation that would consider causes other than pilot action. He said officials from India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau had suggested to him that his son cut fuel flow to the aircraft's engines shortly after takeoff. First Officer Clive Kunder First Officer Clive Kunder, 32, held a commercial pilot licence issued in 2020 and valid until September 26, 2025. He was qualified to fly Cessna 172 and Piper PA-34 Seneca aircraft as pilot-in-command and served as a co-pilot on Airbus A320 and Boeing 787 aircraft. Kunder had accumulated 3,403 flying hours, including 1,128 hours on the Boeing 787 as a co-pilot, according to the preliminary report. Indian media reports, citing relatives, said Kunder developed a passion for aviation during his school years and began pursuing a flying career in 2012. The Wall Street Journal reported that he attended flight school in Florida before joining Air India in 2017. He initially flew the Airbus A320 and later transitioned to the Boeing 787 fleet. Family members and friends told the newspaper that Kunder enjoyed superhero movies, taught himself how to build a personal computer and had considered pursuing a professional esports career while in college. The profiles of both pilots have drawn attention as investigators continue their work to determine the cause of one of India's most closely watched aviation accidents.
