Mumbai: The last rites of Captain Clive Kunder, co-pilot of the ill-fated Air India flight AI-171 that crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12, will be held on Thursday, June 19, at the Sewri Christian Cemetery in Mumbai. The funeral is scheduled to begin at 2:30 pm, with the cortege leaving from his residence at 1:00 pm.
A funeral notice circulating on social media reads: “It is with deep sadness that we inform you of the passing of our beloved son and brother, Capt. Clive Kunder, who left us on 12th June 2025. Your presence and prayers will mean a lot to our family.”
Clive Kunder's funeral notice |
Clive Kunder, aged 34, was the First Officer aboard the Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner that tragically crashed minutes after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The accident claimed the lives of all 232 passengers and crew, except one, Ramesh Vishwaskumar, who survived by miraculously jumping clear of the aircraft just before impact.
Who Was Clive Kunder?
Originally from a coastal Karnataka family, Clive was based in Mumbai. His father, Clifford Kunder, hails from Malpe and worked on offshore rigs, while his mother, Rekha, a native of Mangaluru, once served as a cabin crew member with Air India. Clive completed his commercial pilot training in Florida before returning to India to join the aviation industry, according to a Times of India report.
Despite logging 1,100 hours of flight experience, Clive was still gaining the required 1,500 hours needed to command an aircraft. He was assisting Captain Sabharwal on the nearly 10-hour international flight bound for London.
Known for his quiet and spiritual nature, Clive was a regular at the Basel Mission Church in Kurla whenever he was home. He remained unmarried and was deeply committed to his career and family.
Meanwhile, the families of other Mumbai-based crew members continue to grieve. In Dombivli, the funeral of air hostess Roshni Songhare is set to take place today at the local Shamshan Bhumi. Her body was released after DNA confirmation. However, the remains of Deepak Pathak, an Air India cabin crew member from Badlapur, are still awaiting identification.
