Mumbai Holds Emotional Tribute for Air India Crew One Year After Ahmedabad Crash That Killed 260

Among those present was Amol Tatkare, the husband of Aparna Mahadik, a senior Air India cabin crew member who died in the AI-171 flight crash. The Boeing 787-8 aircraft, en route to London, crashed shortly after takeoff, killing 241 people on board and 19 individuals on the ground. Only one passenger survived the incident, while all 12 crew members onboard were killed during the aircraft’s initial climb phase.

Recalling the day of the tragedy, Amol Tatkare said he was at a training academy, where he also works as cabin crew with Air India. During a lunch break, he received a message from a colleague in the cabin crew fraternity inquiring if everything was alright. He added that by the time he reached his classroom, news of an aircraft crash in Ahmedabad had already broken.

Tatkare stated that he initially did not believe the flight involved his wife, despite knowing her schedule. He recalled speaking to her in the morning of the incident, noting that she had woken him for training and that he was aware of her boarding and departure timing. Upon learning that the flight was bound for Gatwick, he realized it was the same aircraft on which she was onboard, though he remained hopeful.

He further said that he later landed in Mumbai that night, only to learn that there were no survivors. Tatkare expressed that it has been an extremely traumatic year for him, his daughter, his parents, as well as his wife’s parents and relatives.

He also stated his confidence in the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau and other agencies involved in the ongoing investigation, expressing hope that the final report would reveal the truth behind the crash.

The prayer meeting, held in Mumbai’s Bandra area, was also attended by Sandeep Kapoor, a friend of senior Air India pilot Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who also perished in the crash. Kapoor said he did not wish to speculate on the causes of the accident, adding that no blame should be attributed to the pilot.

The gathering reflected the continuing grief of families and colleagues who continue to mourn the loss of those who perished in the catastrophic aviation disaster.