Daijiworld Media Network- Mumbai
Mumbai, Jun 19: The grief-stricken family of Clive Kunder, the co-pilot of the ill-fated Air India AI-171 flight that crashed in Ahmedabad on June 12, received his mortal remains in Mumbai on Thursday. The 34-year-old first officer, who was among the 241 victims of the catastrophic crash, was brought home to his residence in Goregaon (West) where an emotional farewell unfolded.
Heart-wrenching visuals from Kunder’s home showed a somber atmosphere, with family members, friends, and well-wishers gathered to pay their final respects. His portrait adorned with flowers stood as a silent testament to the loss, as parents Clifford and Mrs. Kunder mourned their only son's untimely demise.
Actor Vikrant Massey, a close family friend, had earlier shared his sorrow in an emotional social media post, remembering Clive as the son of his “uncle” Clifford Kunder. “It pains even more to know that my uncle lost his son. May God give strength to you and your family, and to all deeply affected,” he had written.
The Air India Dreamliner, operating as AI-171 and bound for London, tragically crashed into the hostel premises of BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad’s Meghani Nagar area just moments after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Among the deceased were passengers and crew members, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.
The crash has prompted a high-level investigation, with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ordering urgent safety audits of Air India’s Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft. In response to the tragedy, Air India and its parent company, the Tata Group, have announced a compensation package of ?1.25 crore for each of the victims’ families.
In a swift follow-up, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has introduced draft regulations aimed at enhancing flight safety. The proposed rules will empower authorities to act against buildings and natural structures that violate permissible height limits around airport zones—a measure expected to mitigate risks associated with aircraft takeoff and landing.
As Mumbai bid farewell to one of its own, the tragic accident continues to cast a long shadow over India’s aviation sector, triggering fresh concerns over operational safety and infrastructure oversight.