Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a veteran pilot with nearly 30 years of experience and over 8,200 flight hours, was at the controls of the Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner that tragically crashed near Ahmedabad, killing all 241 on board. He was described by colleagues as “a very quiet, diligent man” who took great pride in his work.

Before takeoff, Captain Sabharwal told his family he would call them once he landed in London. Sadly, “the predicted call never materialised, and the jet never left India.” He had also promised to take time off soon to be with his 82-year-old father, a former official of India’s aviation regulator.

The 54-year-old pilot was one of nine crew members from Mumbai. After the crash, his name and photos quickly spread online, stirring deep grief across the aviation community.

Among the victims was British national Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek, who recorded a short video at the airport before boarding, saying: “Going back happily, happily, happily calm.” The video has since gone viral, echoing the emotional toll of the tragedy.

The aircraft involved had been delivered to Air India in 2014, following its first flight in 2013.