Latest news with #Kunder
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Farewell to Clive Kunder: ‘He hasn't left us; he's only flying higher now'
MUMBAI: At the Sewri Christian Cemetery on Thursday afternoon, under grey skies and swaying trees, God was a palpable presence at the funeral of Clive Kunder, the 32-year-old co-pilot of the ill-fated Ahmedabad–London flight. Rain whispered across the leaves and gravestones as mourners gathered beneath a gazebo to remember a man who was, by all accounts, as devoted to his family and faith as he was to the skies he flew. 'Seventeen years ago, we met Clive for the first time. Since then, we watched him grow, evolve, and soar,' said Steffi Miranda, a close friend from Wilson College, addressing an emotional gathering that included Kunder's parents and younger sister, Camille. 'But today, we are here first and foremost for his family—because for Clive, family always came first.' From the early years in Kalina to the cockpit of a Dreamliner, Kunder's life was marked by quiet determination and deep affection. Arun Balachandran, a fellow Air India pilot and long-time friend, offered a glimpse into their shared past. 'I first knew Clive not as a colleague, but as a schoolboy,' he said. 'We used to wait at the same bus stop when he was just 10 or 12. We played football together. To see him grow into the 6-foot man he became—and then to fly beside him—was an honour I will carry with me forever.' After earning his undergraduate degree in science, Kunder trained at the Bombay Flying Club's College of Aeronautics before heading to Miami to complete his pilot training. At Air India, he served as a first officer on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, amassing over 1,100 flying hours. 'Clive was the kind of person who brought both precision and cheerfulness to his job,' said Balachandran. 'He was immaculate in the cockpit and always carried a smile.' Those who knew him best also remembered the deeper currents of his life—his unwavering religious faith and the love he held for his younger sister. 'Clive was deeply spiritual, rooted in a personal, steadfast version of tradition,' said Miranda. 'He was incredibly devoted to Camille.' She concluded her eulogy with Walt Whitman's O Captain! My Captain!—a fitting tribute to a man who had lived with purpose and heart. 'Though grief surrounds us, there is pride too—in who Clive became. He hasn't left us; he's only flying higher now.' The service, steeped in music and memory, was led by Father Sam Munnir of UBM Christa Kanthi Church in Kurla, the congregation Kunder was raised in. 'Clive grew up in the Christian faith. I watched him grow in the church, attend Sunday school, and confirm his faith under my guidance,' said Father Munnir, reading from letters of condolence sent by reverends across the globe. 'He had reverence not just for God, but for all people—a true servant in every sense.' As the church choir accompanied his coffin into the cemetery, mourners sang hymns—soft, solemn notes rising into the stormy air. The service closed with a moving rendition of Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross, echoing over the final resting place of a young man remembered not just for how he flew, but how he lived.
Time of India
4 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Air India Crash: Family In Tears As Last Rites Of Co-Pilot Clive Kunder Held In Mumbai
The mortal remains of First Officer Clive Kunder, co-pilot of Air India Flight AI-171, were brought to his family home in Goregaon (West) and laid to rest at Sewri Christian Cemetery. Kunder, one of 242 people aboard the Boeing 787 Dreamliner that crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad on June 12, was among nearly all passengers and crew killed when the aircraft struck the B.J. Medical College Hostel complex and erupted in flames. Kunder's close friends, neighbours and extended family to pay their final respects before the funeral procession moved to Sewri Christian Cemetery.#airindiacrash #clivekunder #ai171 #ahmedabadplanecrash #boeing787 #copilot #lastrites #mumbaifuneral #aviationtragedy #flight171 #airindia #dreamliner #planecrashes #indianaviation #aviationnews #mumbainews #finalgoodbye #toi #toibharat
Mint
4 days ago
- General
- Mint
'You will be remembered': Air India, hundreds of people bid farewell to First Officer Clive Kunder killed in crash
Air India, along with scores of people, bid farewell to First Officer Clive Kunder — co-pilot of the ill-fated flight that crashed in Ahmedabad last week — whose last rites were conducted today in Mumbai. The Tata Group-owned airline described Kunder as a "valued colleague," and wrote on social media: '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. 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. We extend 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 a part of Air India. You will be remembered. You will be missed.' The last rites of Kunder were held at Sewri Christian Cemetery in the afternoon, hours after his mortal remains were brought from Ahmedabad. Tearful mourners held photographs of the late pilot as they gathered to bid him a final farewell, a week after his tragic death in the crash. Earlier in the day, the casket bearing his mortal remains arrived at Mumbai airport and was brought to his home at Suntek City on Ram Mandir Road in Goregaon (West) by his family. Friends, relatives, and local residents assembled at his residence to offer their respects and later joined the funeral procession. Kunder had been living in Mumbai with his aging parents and younger sister. His body was kept at the family home until 1 p.m. before being taken to the cemetery for the final rites. The London-bound Air India flight AI-171, carrying 242 passengers and crew members, crashed on June 12, resulting in the deaths of all but one on board, along with 29 people on the ground. The aircraft plunged into a medical hostel complex in a densely populated area of Gujarat. The ill-fated flight was captained by Sumeet Sabharwal, with First Officer Kunder as his co-pilot. According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Captain Sabharwal had logged 8,200 hours of flying experience, while Kunder had 1,100 hours. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner took off from Ahmedabad airport at 1:39 p.m. Shortly after take-off, Captain Sabharwal issued a 'Mayday' distress call — signaling a full emergency — to Air Traffic Control in Ahmedabad. Moments later, the aircraft crashed into the medical facility just outside the airport premises. Captain Sabharwal, who was also a Mumbai resident, was laid to rest on Tuesday. (With inputs from news agency PTI
News18
4 days ago
- General
- News18
'Full Of Promise': Air India Pays Tribute To First Officer Clive Kunder Killed In Crash
Last Updated: The airline said said senior leaders from Tata Group and Air India attended his prayer and funeral service in Mumbai on Thursday Air India on Thursday paid tribute to First Officer Clive Kunder, the young co-pilot who lost his life in the tragic crash in Ahmedabad last week, calling him as 'a young aviator full of promise, a valued colleague, and a deeply cherished member of the Air India family." Kunder was laid to rest in Mumbai after his mortal remains arrived on this morning and were brought to his residence on Ram Mandir Road in Goregaon (West), where he lived with his elderly parents and younger sister. Air India, in an emotional tribute shared on social media X, said: '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." The airline described Clive as someone whose quiet dedication, grace, and passion for flying earned him admiration from all who worked with him. The carrier also said senior leaders from Tata Group and Air India attended his prayer and funeral service, standing in solidarity with his family and friends, adding, 'to honour his memory, share in their grief, and offer strength during this incredibly difficult time." 'We extend our deepest condolences to Clive's family. In this moment of profound loss, we stand with you – in remembrance, in sorrow, and in solidarity," the airline said. Kunder was the co-pilot on the ill-fated Air India Flight AI-171, which crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad Airport on June 12, en route to London. The aircraft was a Boeing 787 Dreamliner carrying 242 passengers and crew members. All but one person on board died, along with 29 others on the ground, when the plane crashed into a medical complex just outside the airport boundary. The flight was under the command of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who had over 8,200 hours of flying experience, while Kunder had 1,100 hours, according to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Sabharwal had issued a 'Mayday' distress call minutes after take-off, but the plane crashed moments later. Captain Sabharwal's last rites were held in Powai, Mumbai, on Tuesday. (With inputs from agencies) First Published: June 19, 2025, 18:14 IST
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
In Mumbai, tears and a final goodbye to Air India pilot Clive Kunder who died in Ahmedabad plane crash
The mortal remains of first officer and co-pilot Clive Kunder, who died in the ill-fated Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, were brought to Mumbai on Thursday. As per officials, captain Kunder's remains were then transported to his family in Goregaon West, where they carried out the last rites. Captain Clive Kunder lived with his elderly parents and younger sister in Mumbai. His remains were kept at his home for friends and family to pay homage before being taken to Sewri Christian Cemetery for his last rites. Also Read: Air India plane crash: Kuki AI-171 hostess's body to be handed over via Nagaland Kunder was among the 12 cabin crew members on board AI flight 171 when it crashed in Ahmedabad. The London-bound flight was carrying 242 passengers as it crashed moments after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. As per DGCA, the Air India flight was under the command of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kunder. While Sabharwal had 8,200 hours of flying experience, Kunder 1,100 hours, the civil aviation regulatory body added. The aircraft crashed seconds after Captain Sabharwal issued a distress Mayday call to Ahmedabad air traffic control. The plane crashed into a hostel building of BJ Medical College in the city. The plane crash in Ahmedabad killed a total of 270 people - the 241 passengers and cabin crew on board and 29 people on ground.
