Air India: Captain Discloses Private Information About Late Pilot's Health Condition and Marriage
- Captain Sam Thomas has defended his late colleague, Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, by disclosing certain details about his health and marriage
- The pilot has recently come under intense public scrutiny and negative media portrayal following the Air India flight AI-171 crash on June 12
- In response, Captain Sam and trainers, Captains Reandhava and Gupta, provided insights into the late pilot's life and professional character
CHECK OUT: How to Start Earning with Copywriting in Just 7 Days – Even if You’re a Complete Beginner
Captain Sam Thomas, a colleague of the late Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, has defended the pilot over allegations and reports accusing him of causing the ill-fated Air India plane crash on June 12.
Speaking to Indian television journalist Barkha Dutt on her show Bottomline, Captain Thomas, along with Sabharwal's trainers, Captains Reandhava and Gupta, spoke highly of the deceased.
Source: Getty Images
Captain speaks about Sabharwal's health and marriage
Thomas described Sabharwal as a silent person who was a bit more studious and had a quiet strength.
He claimed there must be an Air India insider leaking information about the deceased pilot in a derogatory manner.
Thomas said that Sabharwal was not a bad person because he was not a party-goer, but admitted he did not have the best marriage and had a vitamin B12 deficiency.
"Now, he had these are private things which I have spoken in the group, with the friends of Sumeet and said look, 'It's time I went and told all these things under this'. Ordinarily, I would never speak about this.
"Unfortunately, I feel that I'm speaking on behalf of Sumeet, and I will have to put the facts out because evidently, it is some pilot from Air India who is leaking this information about Sumeet in a derogatory manner.
Captain Thomas explained that Sabharwal had lost his mother during the COVID-19 pandemic era
"Now his father is alone, and it was his aim to look after his father because he's aging, and it he is the quintessential Shraan Kumar, and he is trying to take care of his ailing father."
Speaking about the vitamin B12 deficiency, he commented:
"Okay. Now that could happen to anybody. Lot of us undergoing medicals have all these kinds of deficiencies, and I don't see how that could be uh construed as a mental illness..."
Sam's statement during the interview with the journalist was published on YouTube by Mojo Story and touched many people.
Source: Getty Images
Watch the video below:
Captain's remarks about Sabharwal stir reactions
Legit.ng has compiled some reactions to the captain's remarks below:
@kiransharma3065 said:
"I am a mother of a pilot and very proud of him but must say that the management is never sympathetic towards the hardworking pilots. Let's hope they will take care of the pilots; we all depend on them. May God give them strength. My son was flying A380. God fulfilled my dream all the best to everyone."
@nika-pt2pl said:
"My heart breaks for Summit's father. It must be extremely hard to comprehend that there was a possibility he wanted to end it all. Mental issues amongst pilots are very common but sadly, they feel as if they can't ask for help because they are immediately grounded from performing their jobs."
@mnm9552 said:
"Only a best friend and colleague will be an upstander. Capt S seemed to be very focused in life and committed towards his aging father. People need to be mindful of their comments. Thank u."
@Dewdrops6546 said:
"Sincere apologies to captain Sumeet. May his soul rest in peace 😢❤ Thanks panel folks for enlightening the viewers about this gentleman."
@elenarogers5311 said:
"These comments from colleagues who genuinely knew Captain Sumeet are very convincing and very enlightening. No one should rush to conclusions before a thorough investigation is done. Thank you for speaking out. As we know the media likes to create dramatic story lines. Blessings to Captain Sumeet's father and relatives in India. R.I.P. Captain! Prayers from Italy.❤🙏🙏🙏🙏 "
@happydach said:
"Sumeet was truly a lovely person... the fact that he was about to resign to take care of his father says it all... I mean very few people do that nowadays."
@japanmesmerises1384 said:
"Mam, I am not known to Captain Sumeet and Captain Clive. But I don't know why, I cried like I know both of them and they look so familiar and affectionate. I started thinking I would have seen them somewhere during brief trips abroad. So familiar. They have trust and professionalism written on their faces. How can people say such slanderous things abut them? Its heart breaking."
Pilot's family friend speaks
Sanjeev Pai, a family friend of Sabharwal, described the deceased as an experienced pilot. He spoke about the value the man brought to work:
“I am a retired Wing Commander and have worked with Air India staff in every kind of situation. Captain Sumeet was a very good and experienced pilot.
"His death is a huge loss for Air India. He was such a calm and peaceful person, an excellent pilot."
Air India pilot's house help speaks
Legit.ng previously reported that the house help at the residence of the late Air India Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, had disclosed what he told her before leaving for the flight.
She said the late pilot never called her by her name, but only affectionately as 'beta' or 'bacha.' She noted that he was calm, reserved, and only really spoke about his child.
Joseph Omotayo, the HOD of the Human Interest Desk, contributed to this report, adding a family friend's comments about Captain Sabharwal.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
