Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who was at the helm of the ill-fated Air India flight 171 bound for London's Gatwick airport, diverted the aircraft at the last moment to avoid hitting residential buildings, ultimately saving many lives. The crash resulted in 241 fatalities, but locals consider him a hero for his quick thinking.

All 18 families living in a three-story building under the flight path are convinced that Captain Sumeet Sabharwal's actions saved their lives. His skillful maneuvering of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner prevented a potential disaster at the site.

Residents' Testimonies

Geeta Patni, 48, a resident close to the crash site, shared, "The building was shaking. We were terrified. There was chaos in the streets with fire and smoke. If the plane had come any closer, we would not have survived. The pilot saved us. We have always feared this scenario because the planes fly so low over our area."

Jahanvi Rajput, 28, expressed her gratitude, saying, "We owe our lives to Captain Sabharwal. He is a hero. His quick thinking led us to safety. He spotted the green space nearby and steered the plane in that direction."

Chancal Bai, 50, a mother of two, added, "If the plane had crashed into our neighborhood, the number of casualties would have been much higher."

The Tragic Incident

The aircraft, carrying 242 passengers, had only one British survivor. It crashed into the BJ Medical College, claiming the lives of 29 individuals, including five MBBS students, and causing widespread devastation.

Captain Sumeet Sabharwal's Background

Captain Sumeet, 54, was the son of a civil aviation authority officer in India. With 8,200 hours of flight experience, he was a seasoned pilot and also the primary caregiver for his elderly father, whom he spoke to just before takeoff. Colleagues in Mumbai described him as a kind and unassuming individual.