Family Remembers Sumit 'Bunny' Kapur Beyond the Tragic Baramati Plane Crash
For his grieving family, Captain Sumit Kapur was not defined by the tragic plane crash in Baramati that claimed his life on Wednesday. Instead, he was remembered as "Bunny" – a childhood nickname that followed him throughout his 62 years, symbolizing the warmth and joy he brought to every room he entered.
A Community United in Grief at Punjabi Bagh Crematorium
At the Punjabi Bagh crematorium in Delhi, more than 150 relatives, close friends, and fellow aviation captains gathered, united by their shared loss and cherished memories of a man described as the heart of a close-knit west Delhi family. The emotional gathering highlighted how deeply Kapur was embedded in his community, with mourners sharing stories that spanned decades.
A Distinguished Aviation Career Spanning Decades
Kapur was a career pilot with an impressive 20,000 hours of flight experience. His aviation journey began with schooling at Springdales and Air Force Bal Bharati, followed by advanced flight training in Canada. He became an important figure at Sahara Airlines in the early 1990s, where colleagues remembered him as the "right hand" of the chairman.
After working at Jet Airways, his technical expertise earned him the prestigious position of examiner for Boeing 737 aircraft. A fellow captain who knew Kapur for two decades explained, "Being an examiner means you have reached the ultimate level in civil aviation. He was responsible for the proficiency and training of other pilots. His knowledge truly set him apart from the crowd. He was a man of absolute precision."
Family Legacy and Recent Years at VSR Aviation
For the past five years, Kapur had been associated with VSR Aviation. He is survived by his wife, elderly father, son Shiv who is also a pilot with VSR, and daughter Sanya who is married to a pilot. The family connections in aviation ran deep – while Kapur often flew the Learjet with co-pilot Shambhavi who also died in the crash, his son Shiv would frequently fly the VSR Legacy jet with Shambhavi's father, Vikram Pathak, a retired Indian Air Force officer.
Deep Roots in Delhi's History
Despite his high-flying career, Bunny remained deeply connected to his roots. His family's story mirrors Delhi's own history, originating in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, moving through Moradabad, and eventually settling in a family home on Panchkuian Road before moving to Rajouri Garden's M-Block.
For forty years, neighbors watched Bunny evolve from a lively boy into a seasoned commander. The caretaker of the house where Kapur had been living temporarily on rent, next to the family's own home that has been under construction for over a year, recalled seeing him just two days before the tragedy. The family had been preparing to shift into their newly-built house soon.
The Joyful Spirit Who Made Every Gathering Special
To his family, Bunny was the man who could transform any gathering into a celebration. His elder cousin sister, who grew up alongside him, stood at the crematorium in tears, clutching memories that refused to fade. "Bunny was adored by everyone; he was just so jolly," she said. "I can still close my eyes and clearly remember how he used to dance to the tunes of Amitabh Bachchan songs. He was a massive fan. He was always the one we looked forward to seeing at every function."
Shattered Anticipation and Unfulfilled Celebrations
The timing of the tragedy has left the family in a state of shattered anticipation. The daughter of Kapur's brother Varun is set to be married on February 20th, with the hotel already booked and invitations sent. Bunny, who would have turned 63 this April, was meant to be the soul of the wedding festivities.
Colleagues Defend His Professionalism
Instead of wedding songs, his peers and family members are now speaking out in his defense. At the crematorium, a captain who had previously worked with VSR expressed frustration over early speculation regarding pilot error. "Everyone is quick to blame the pilots, but there was no readback from Sumit in those final moments," the captain stated. "In the two decades I've worked with him, I knew his precision. Something must have gone horribly wrong. This calls for a probe into the aircraft itself, the lack of navigational facilities, and the poor visibility at the Baramati runway. It is disheartening that the family has to deal with allegations while they are grieving."
The captain also noted the additional tragedy of co-pilot Shambhavi's passing, revealing she was only a week away from becoming a commander herself.
Plans for a Peaceful Retirement Cut Short
Just a week before the crash, Kapur had called a friend for a routine catch-up. During that conversation, he spoke of his plans for a relaxing future. "He mentioned he was only two or three years away from retirement," the friend recalled. "He just wanted to relax afterwards." These simple plans for peaceful retirement now stand as poignant reminders of what was lost in the Baramati tragedy.
