Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on July 12, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 22, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleThe article profiles the pilots of the Air India crash, detailing their flying experience and the investigation's focus on cockpit confusion.
NEW DELHI (Reuters) -Investigators probing a deadly Air India crash said in a preliminary report that the aircraft's engine fuel switches were flipped to an off position briefly, leading to confusion in the cockpit and putting focus on the pilots flying the Boeing 787.
Below is a brief profile of the two pilots based on the preliminary investigation report and media reports:
CAPTAIN SUMEET SABHARWAL
The 56-year-old had an airline transport pilot's licence that was valid until May 14, 2026.
He had obtained clearances to fly as pilot-in-command on several aircraft including the Boeing 787 and 777 and the Airbus A310.
He had total flying experience of 15,638 hours, of which 8,596 hours were on a Boeing 787.
Sabharwal had called his family from the airport, assuring them he would ring again after landing in London, according to a Times of India report. A pilot who had briefly interacted with him told Reuters he was a "gentleman."
FIRST OFFICER CLIVE KUNDER
The 32-year-old had a commercial pilot license which was issued in 2020 and valid until September 26, 2025.
He had obtained clearances to fly Cessna 172 and Piper PA-34 Seneca aircraft as pilot-in-command and as co-pilot on Airbus A320 and Boeing 787 jets.
He had total flying experience of 3,403 hours. Of that, 1,128 hours of experience were as a 787 co-pilot.
Since his school-going days Kunder was passionate about flying, and in 2012, began serving as a pilot, Indian media reported, citing his relatives. He joined Air India in 2017.
(Reporting by Abhijith Ganapavaram and Aditya Kalra; Editing by Jamie Freed)
Captain Sumeet Sabharwal has a total flying experience of 15,638 hours, with 8,596 hours on a Boeing 787.
First Officer Clive Kunder has a commercial pilot license issued in 2020, valid until September 26, 2025.
Clive Kunder joined Air India in 2017 after starting his pilot career in 2012.
Captain Sabharwal was qualified to fly several aircraft, including the Boeing 787, 777, and Airbus A310.
The preliminary report indicated that the aircraft's engine fuel switches were briefly flipped to the off position, leading to confusion.
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