
FACTBOX: Who were the two pilots who flew the Air India jet that crashed?
Below is a brief profile of the two pilots based on the preliminary investigation report and media reports:
CAPTAIN SUMEET SABHARWAL
The 56-year-old had an airline transport pilot's licence that was valid until May 14, 2026.
He had obtained clearances to fly as pilot-in-command on several aircraft, including the Boeing 787 and 777 and the Airbus A310.
He had a total flying experience of 15,638 hours, of which 8,596 hours were on a Boeing 787.
Sabharwal had called his family from the airport, assuring them he would ring again after landing in London, according to a Times of India report. A pilot who had briefly interacted with him told Reuters he was a "gentleman."
FIRST OFFICER CLIVE KUNDER
The 32-year-old had a commercial pilot licence that was issued in 2020 and was valid until Sept 26.
He had obtained clearances to fly Cessna 172 and Piper PA-34 Seneca aircraft as pilot-in-command and as co-pilot on Airbus A320 and Boeing 787 jets.
He had a total flying experience of 3,403 hours. Of that, 1,128 hours of experience were as a 787 co-pilot.
Since his school-going days, Kunder was passionate about flying, and in 2012, he began serving as a pilot, Indian media reported, citing his relatives. He joined Air India in 2017.
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The Star
20 hours ago
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NTSB chair says media reports on Air India crash are speculative, premature
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Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Air India says plane ‘well-maintained' before crash
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Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
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Indian investigators download black box data from fatal Air India crash
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