Air India Flight 171 Tragedy: Both pilots fought for every second to do the ONE most important thing. They deserve to be called HEROES. 😔🛫

In the face of an unimaginable crisis, the pilots of Air India Flight 171 fought desperately to do the ONLY THING that MATTERS in those final moments. Every second counted, and their determination and professionalism in the face of disaster prove why they are true heroes. 👨‍✈️👩‍✈️

A ‘hero’ pilot who died in the Air India plane crash had told his dad just three days before the tragedy that he wanted to retire soon, it has emerged.

Captain Sumeet Sabharwal has been hailed as a ‘hero’ for his quick-thinking actions during the Boeing Dreamliner’s catastrophic descent moments after take-off on Thursday, with his split-second decision in the final seconds of his life likely having saved dozens of lives.

As it became apparent that his aircraft was in an irreversible collision course towards the ground, the 56-year-old swerved his plane onto a patch of grassland to avoid direct hit on the doctors’ hostel. Instead, part of the plane smashed into the side of the building, but a more serious catastrophe was avoided.

Sumeet Sabharwal, 56, is believed to have saved dozens of lives by swerving the plane towards a grassy area

Now, new details about the pilot’s family life have emerged as loved ones spoke of his kindhearted nature.

At home, Mr Sabharwal was a carer for his dad, Pushkaraj, who is in his 80s and had worked India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation before his retirement.

One pal revealed that, just three days before the disaster the claimed his life and that of over 240 passengers, he had promised his father he would retire from flying, so he could come home and look after him full time.

Family friend Lande told India Today: “Sumit had spoken to him just three days ago, saying he wanted to leave flying and come home to care for him.

“His father couldn’t say a word. His eyes were filled with tears.”

Indian authorities are starting to return the bodies of victims to their families after conducting DNA tests(Image: AP)

Indian authorities have started handing over remains after hundreds of relatives of the crash victims provided DNA samples at the hospital. Most of the bodies were charred or mutilated, making them unrecognisable.

Rajneesh Patel, an official at the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad, said authorities have so far identified 32 victims through DNA mapping and their families were informed. He said the remains of 14 victims were handed over to relatives.

Air India flight makes sudden U-turn after suffering ‘mid-air technical issue’

This morning, an Air India flight returned to Hong Kong shortly after take-off because of a mid-air technical issue.

The plane was a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the same model as the London-bound flight that crashed and killed 241 people on board and at least 29 on the ground last week.

Last week’s air disaster killed 241 people, including over 50 British nationals(Image: AP)

Air India said in a statement that the New Delhi-bound plane landed in Hong Kong safely and was undergoing checks “as a matter of abundant precaution”.Airport Authority Hong Kong said in a separate statement that flight AI315 returned to the southern Chinese city’s airport around 1pm.The airline said alternative arrangements have been made to fly the affected passengers to their destination at the earliest convenience.