Key Points
- Air India pilot Sumit Sabharwal, a resident of Powai, Mumbai, was among 241 people killed in the Ahmedabad plane crash.
- Sumit’s 88-year-old father is inconsolable, having lost his wife two years ago and now his only son.
- Sumit had recently promised his father he would retire after returning from London to care for him.
- The news has left the Jalvayu Vihar community in shock and mourning.
- Sumit had a long career as a pilot, flying since 1994, and is survived by his elderly father, a sister, and two nephews.
Mumbai: Powai neighborhood is reeling from the tragic loss of Captain Sumit Sabharwal, the experienced Air India pilot who perished along with 241 passengers in the devastating Ahmedabad plane crash on June 12th. For his 88-year-old father, the tragedy is doubly cruel having lost his wife just two years earlier, he now mourns the untimely death of his only son.
Sumit’s father, overwhelmed by grief, recalled his son’s final promise: “I will call after reaching London, and when I return, I will leave my job and serve you.” These words, spoken just three days before the crash, now haunt the family, who could never have imagined that Sumit’s voice would fall silent forever.
Shockwaves Through Jalvayu Vihar
Captain Sabharwal and his father lived together in flat F-904 of Jalvayu Vihar, Hiranandani, a close-knit residential complex in Powai. The news of the crash spread rapidly, plunging the entire community into mourning. Residents described Sumit as a dedicated professional and a caring son. “Sumit and his father lived together after his mother passed away. The whole society is in shock. We are all standing by the family in this hour of grief,” said Tejas Haskoti, a neighbor.
A Distinguished Career Cut Short
Sumit Sabharwal had been a pilot since 1994, earning respect for his professionalism and commitment to safety. Friends and colleagues remember him as a calm, reliable presence in the cockpit and a devoted family man off-duty. He is survived by his elderly father, his sister, and two nephews, who rushed to Mumbai upon hearing the news.
A Community in Mourning
The tragedy has left a deep void in Jalvayu Vihar. Neighbors and friends have gathered to support Sumit’s father, who is now left alone in his twilight years. The society has come together to offer condolences and practical help, ensuring he is not left to grieve in isolation.
The loss of Captain Sumit Sabharwal in the Ahmedabad Air India crash is not just a blow to his family, but to the entire Powai community and the nation’s aviation fraternity. His story is a poignant reminder of the personal tragedies behind every headline, and the enduring bonds of family and community in times of unimaginable loss.
