In what could have been a far greater catastrophe, the pilot of the ill-fated Air India Flight AI-171, Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, is being hailed as a national hero after his quick decision-making saved thousands of lives on the ground during the June 12 crash near Ahmedabad airport.
The Boeing 787 aircraft, en route from Ahmedabad to London, suffered a major mid-air malfunction just minutes after takeoff. As the crisis unfolded, Captain Sabharwal reportedly issued a distress call and deliberately steered the aircraft away from densely populated residential blocks, directing it instead toward a relatively open area where it eventually crashed into a medical college hostel complex.
While the crash resulted in the deaths of nearly all 327 people on board and several on the ground, eyewitnesses and aviation experts say the toll could have been far worse. Local residents from nearby apartment complexes credited the pilot for averting a mass casualty disaster. &ldquo;If the plane had hit our building, hundreds of families could have died. He chose to protect us,&rdquo; one resident told reporters.
The Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a comprehensive investigation, but initial findings from black box data and air traffic control recordings suggest that the pilot&rsquo;s decision to divert from the original flight path was deliberate and meant to minimize civilian casualties.
Captain Sabharwal, a 42-year-old veteran with over 8,000 hours of flying experience, is survived by his wife and two young children. At his funeral earlier this week, family and colleagues described him as calm, committed, and deeply patriotic. &ldquo;Even in his final moments, he put others first,&rdquo; said a colleague from Air India.
Officials estimate that the quick maneuver prevented a crash into three densely packed residential buildings, potentially saving up to 2,000 lives. &ldquo;This was a calculated, courageous move under intense pressure. It speaks volumes about his training and humanity,&rdquo; said an aviation analyst.
Air India and the Ministry of Civil Aviation have jointly proposed a national award posthumously honoring Captain Sabharwal&rsquo;s bravery. Meanwhile, survivors, families of the victims, and grateful residents continue to mourn, reflect, and pay tribute to the man whose actions turned a devastating tragedy into a story of extraordinary heroism.

Ahmedabad air tragedy turns heroic as pilot steers aircraft away from crowded buildings

Pilot’s Brave Move Saves 2,000 Lives in Crash

Ahmedabad air tragedy turns heroic as pilot steers aircraft away from crowded buildings

June 28, 2025 | 18:06 IST