Captain Clive Kunder, one of the 12 cabin crew members aboard Air India Flight 171, was laid to rest in Mumbai on Thursday after losing his life in the tragic plane crash that occurred in Ahmedabad on June 12.
In a heartfelt message posted on X (formerly Twitter), Air India paid tribute to the young pilot:
“With heavy hearts, we bid farewell to First Officer Clive Kunder – a young aviator full of promise, a valued colleague, and a deeply cherished member of the Air India family. Clive’s quiet dedication, grace, and passion for flying earned him the admiration of everyone who had the privilege of working alongside him.”
The airline noted that senior leaders from Tata Group and Air India attended Clive’s prayer and funeral service to stand in solidarity with his grieving family:
“At his prayer and funeral service, senior leaders from Tata Group and Air India stood beside his family, friends, and loved ones – to honour his memory, share in their grief, and offer strength during this incredibly difficult time. You will be remembered. You will be missed.”
Captain Kunder’s mortal remains were brought to Mumbai and handed over to his family in Goregaon West, where the last rites were conducted. His co-pilot, Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who also perished in the crash, was cremated in Mumbai two days earlier.
Flight AI171, en route to London, had 242 passengers and 12 crew members on board when it crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Only one passenger survived the crash, making it one of the deadliest air tragedies involving an Indian carrier in recent years.
According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Captain Sumeet Sabharwal had 8,200 hours of flying experience, while First Officer Clive Kunder had clocked 1,100 hours. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.