The somber aftermath of the Air India AI-171 plane crash in Ahmedabad continues to unfold, with families, friends, and the aviation community grappling with the immense loss. As investigations into the cause of the crash intensify, the focus has also turned to honoring the lives of those who perished, including the flight's co-pilot, Clive Kunder.
On Thursday, June 19, 2025, Clive Kunder's mortal remains were brought to his home in Mumbai, marking a day of profound grief and remembrance. Visuals from his residence showed a large gathering of people who came to pay their respects, as his family stood in front of his portrait, mourning their tragic loss. Kunder lived with his parents in the Goregaon (West) area of Mumbai.
The Air India AI-171 flight, en route to London, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12, claiming the lives of 241 of the 242 passengers and crew on board. The incident has sent shockwaves through the aviation industry, prompting deeper safety checks and causing flight delays and cancellations.
According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Kunder had logged 1,100 hours of flying experience. He was assisting Captain Sumeet Sabharwal on the nearly 10-hour international flight. A funeral notice circulating on social media conveyed the family's deep sadness, stating, "It is with deep sadness that we inform of the passing of our beloved son and brother Captain Clive Kundar who left us on the 12th of June, your presence and prayers will mean a lot to our family."
Friends and colleagues remembered Kunder as a driven and ambitious man, always smiling and greeting everyone without ego. He was also known for his punctuality and active involvement in church activities.
Air India expressed their condolences, stating, “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.” Senior leaders from the Tata Group and Air India stood beside his family, friends, and loved ones to honor his memory.
Meanwhile, investigations into the crash are progressing. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is leading the formal inquiry, with assistance from the U.K., the U.S., and officials from Boeing. The black boxes, containing the Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), have been recovered and are crucial for understanding the events leading up to the crash. The government will decide on the location for decoding the black box after a thorough assessment by the AAIB.
Air India is facing disruptions as additional safety inspections on its Dreamliner fleet have led to flight delays and cancellations. The airline has canceled operations for 83 wide-body flights, including 66 Dreamliners. The airline said wide-body aircraft service would remain curtailed by 15% until mid-July because of the additional inspections.
As the investigation continues, the aviation community mourns the loss of Clive Kunder and all the victims of the Air India AI-171 crash.
