Pilot Sumeet Sabharwal's father breaks down as he pays emotional tribute to son lost in Air India crash. Video

Pilot Sumeet Sabharwal’s father paid a tearful final tribute after his son died in the Air India crash in Ahmedabad on June 12.

Published on: Jun 17, 2025, 10:56:18 IST

By Mahipal Singh Chouhan

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

With eyes brimming with tears and hands folded in silent grief, Pushkaraj Sabharwal stood outside his residence in Powai, Mumbai, offering a final and heart-wrenching tribute to his late son, Captain Sumeet Sabharwal. The veteran pilot was among the 241 people who lost their lives in the tragic crash of Air India flight AI-171 in Ahmedabad on June 12. A video shared by news agency ANI captured the quiet anguish of the grieving father.

With folded hands and teary eyes, Captain Sabharwal’s father gave a heartbreaking final farewell after the tragic crash. (Satish Bate/Hindustan Times)

(Also read: Ahmedabad plane crash: Chilling video show thick black smoke rising from Air India accident site)

Watch the clip here:

According to a report by India Today, Captain Sabharwal, 56, had recently confided in close family and friends that he intended to step away from aviation to care for his ageing and ailing father. “Sumit had spoken to him just three days ago, saying he wanted to leave flying and come home to care for him,” said Lande, a close family friend. “His father couldn’t say a word. His eyes were filled with tears.”

(Also read: Pilot Sumeet Sabharwal's last promise to ailing father before Air India crash: 'Wanted to quit flying and come home')

A veteran pilot and a devoted son

Living in Mumbai’s Powai area with his father, Captain Sabharwal had earned a name for his calm demeanour and commitment to passenger safety. His father, Pushkaraj, himself a retired official from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), had long watched his son’s career soar.

As per India Today, Sumeet had made it clear he no longer wanted to continue flying and had resolved to return home for good — a decision cruelly interrupted by fate.

The tragic crash

Flight AI-171, operated by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, was en route to London with 230 passengers and 12 crew members on board when it crashed into the BJ Medical College hostel building shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.

The impact led to a massive blaze, killing 241 on board. Only one survivor has been reported so far. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, though the scale of destruction has left the aviation community and the nation in mourning.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mahipal Singh Chouhan
Mahipal Singh Chouhan is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times Digital, with nearly five years of experience in digital journalism and content production. His work primarily focuses on offbeat and trending stories that reflect everyday experiences and evolving conversations on the internet. He has consistently worked on transforming viral content and human interest stories into structured news pieces that engage readers while maintaining editorial clarity. At Hindustan Times, Mahipal contributes to identifying and developing stories emerging from social media trends, online communities, and real-world incidents that capture public attention. His approach involves adding context and journalistic perspective to fast-moving digital narratives, helping present viral moments in a clear and reader-friendly format suited for digital audiences. Before joining Hindustan Times Digital, he was associated with DNA India, where he gained experience in newsroom workflows and digital storytelling practices. Mahipal holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies, Delhi. He is particularly interested in tracking emerging trends and understanding how online conversations evolve into broader public discussions. His work reflects a focus on accuracy, readability, and relevance in the rapidly changing digital news environment. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Mahipal takes an interest in history and sports and regularly works on improving his general knowledge, which complements his curiosity as a media professional.Read More

Discover the latest Trending News, viral videos, social media stories and unusual events from India and around the world. Stay updated with the topics everyone is talking about.