Plane Crash in India: Pilot Clive Kunder Cremated in Mumbai Ceremony
The untimely death of a loved one is a crushing blow, and in Mumbai, the Kunder family felt that grief deeply last week. Their family member, First Officer Clive Kunder, perished in the devastating Air India crash. On Thursday, Clive's remains were laid to rest in Mumbai.
The 32-year-old's last journey started with his remains arriving from Ahmedabad in the morning, and his family, friends, and others paid their respects at his Goregaon West residence in the western suburbs.
In a heartfelt tribute, Air India honored Clive's commitment and his unwavering love for aviation.
"With heavy hearts, we bid farewell to First Officer Clive Kunder, a young, promising aviator, a respected colleague, and a cherished member of the Air India family," the airline said in a heart-wrenching post.
"Clive's quiet dedication, humility, and passion for flying earned him the respect of everyone who worked with him. His prayer and funeral service saw senior leaders from Tata Group and Air India accompany his family, friends, and loved ones — to pay homage to his memory, share in their pain, and offer comfort during this heart-wrenching ordeal. We offer our deepest condolences to Clive's family. In this moment of profound loss, we stand with you — in remembrance, in sorrow, and in solidarity. Clive's spirit, warmth, and legacy will always remain an integral part of Air India," the flagship carrier added.
Three days prior, the captain, Sumeet Sabharwal's cremation took place in Mumbai as well. Between the two dedicated pilots, they boasted a combined flying experience of 9,300 hours. Captain Sabharwal had a flying time of 8,200 hours, while Kunder had 1,100 hours.
On June 12, Air India flight AI-171 departed from Runway 23 at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, destined for Gatwick, London. Sadly, the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner plummeted only 36 seconds after takeoff, hitting a residential area in Meghani Nagar.
The crash took the lives of 229 passengers, 12 crew members, and 33 local residents. Remarkably, there was one survivor[1][3]. Current investigations are examining CCTV footage, flight data, and black box data to determine the cause of the disastrous crash.
- The tragic news of the Air India accident has dominated general-news headlines, with the business world closely following the ongoing investigations.
- As the causes of the plane crash remain unclear, the incident has also sparked interest in the technology sector, as experts discuss possible mechanical failures or software glitches.
- Meanwhile, the entertainment industry has also expressed its condolences, remembering Clive Kunder and Sumeet Sabharwal not only as dedicated airline pilots but also as fans who enjoyed various movies and TV shows.
- On the political front, leaders have spoken out about the need for stricter aviation safety regulations following the Air India crash, promising reforms in the name of public health and well-being.
- In the realm of crime and justice, authorities are questioning witnesses and analyzing evidence from the crash site to determine if human error played a role in the unfortunate event.
