As the aviation world mourns the lives lost in the tragic Air India crash on June 12, one Trinidadian aviator is remembering the pilot at the controls not just as a colleague, but as a dear friend and kindred spirit in the sky.
Kevin Deonarine, a seasoned commercial airplane and helicopter pilot and current Lead Civil Aviation Safety Inspector at the Trinidad and Tobago Civil Aviation Authority (TTCAA), spoke exclusively to Guardian Media about his long-standing friendship with the late Clive Kunder, who tragically lost his life in the recent incident.
“I first met Clive during our early days at flight school,” Deonarine recalled.
“I was working toward my multi-engine commercial rating and Clive had just started chasing his passion for aviation. We were young, driven, and absolutely passionate about flying.”
Deonarine described Kunder as “one of those rare souls who lifted everyone around him,” noting his calm demeanour and joyful nature even under the intense pressure of training.
The two trained together at Vero Beach, Florida, affectionately dubbed Zero Beach, where they built a camaraderie that went beyond textbooks and cockpits.
“There’s a video I took of him the day he joined the academy,” Deonarine said with a soft smile.
“He said, ‘My name is Clive and I’m a future pilot.’ The day he got his wings, I reposted that video and told him, ‘It’s not the future anymore you made it!’
“He laughed and thanked me. That was Clive grateful, humble, and always full of life.”
He also shared a light-hearted memory of playing a prank on Kunder during their early days in training.
“There’s a tradition where, after your first solo flight, you’re thrown into a pool or soaked in water. I convinced Clive that the tradition was to be thrown into the lake,” he said, chuckling.
“To my surprise, Clive didn’t resist he actually walked into the lake himself. He knew it was a joke, but he went along with it anyway. That’s the kind of guy he was. Free-spirited, a true team player.”
But when it came to work, Deonarine noted, Kunder never missed a beat.
“Whether it was a written exam or a pre-flight briefing, Clive showed up prepared, rested, and razor sharp. He didn’t just build flight hours; he built trust and professionalism.”
Kunder was serving as the first officer on Air India Flight AI 171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner that crashed just moments after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on June 12.
The aircraft, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew, issued a distress call 36 seconds after takeoff, citing thrust issues. The landing gear remained extended during the descent, and within moments, the plane crashed into a medical college hostel in India’s Meghani Nagar district, igniting a devastating fire.
In total, over 260 lives were lost, including nearly everyone on board and more than a dozen residents on the ground. Only one passenger survived.
“Learning Clive was on that flight broke something inside of me,” said Deonarine.
“To think of all the dreams we talked about, all the things he still had to accomplish it’s heartbreaking.”
India’s aviation regulators have launched a full investigation.
After their graduation, Deonarine and Kunder took different routes in their aviation careers.
Deonarine pursued further qualifications, becoming a commercial helicopter pilot, a certified drone operator, and a specialist in aircraft accident investigation.
Today, he leads oversight of aerodromes and personnel licensing at the TTCAA.
Despite their geographical distance and differing roles, he said the bond never faded.
“I always believed he was destined for a meaningful career not just because of his skills, but because of his character,” Deonarine said.
“Clive wasn’t just flying planes he was flying with purpose. He was a remarkable aviator, a dedicated friend, and a truly good human being. We’ve lost a great pilot—but even more, we’ve lost a great soul.”