Dreams cut short in Ahmedabad plane crash: The Air India crew members who never came home

As Air India flight AI‑171 fell from the sky on Thursday and struck a doctors’ hostel in Ahmedabad minutes after takeoff, many promises were left unfinished and phone calls went unanswered. The tragedy has cut short the journeys of young crew members who were looking forward to reconnecting with their families and making future plans.

Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a veteran pilot with 8,200 flying hours under his belt, had made a promise just days earlier to take a break from his hectic schedule and spend more time with his 82‑year‑old father. “A few days ago, he promised to take a break to spend time with his father,” said MLA Dilip Mama Lande, who met the family. The senior Sabharwal is a former DGCA official.

For co-pilot Clive Kunder’s family, the shock came in a phone call that never arrived. His former landlord, Kenneth Carvalho, explained: “Clive’s parents are in Australia, visiting their daughter. We are all very shocked.” His brother Danny, who lives in the city, was also unreachable for comment.

Aparna Mahadik, 42, a cabin crew member, leaves behind her husband Amol — who is Air India cabin crew himself — and is the nephew of NCP MP Sunil Tatkare. The couple lived in Oberoi Esquire in Goregaon East.

For Saineeta Chakravarti, the tragedy struck without her elderly parents in Juhu Koliwada having a chance to say goodbye. Saineeta, previously a stewardess with Indigo, had recently joined Air India. “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.”

Nganthoi Sharma K, a native of Manipur, Shradha Dhavan and Irfan Shaikh were also believed to have died in the incident.

Deepak Pathak, a Badlapur resident who lived in Katrap with his wife and parents, had been with Air India for 11 years. “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, single cabin crew and social media influencer from Dombivli, lived with her parents and brother in Rajaji Path. Her brother and father rushed to Ahmedabad in the evening after the tragedy.

For 22‑year‑old Maithili Patil from Nhava in Uran, flying was a lifelong dream. Her maternal uncle Jitendra Mhatre said: “She always wanted to take up aviation as a career. She last spoke on the phone with her father at 11.30am from Ahmedabad, to say she was on her way to London.” Her parents were left stunned and in shock.

(With inputs from ToI)