Family Remembers Sumit 'Bunny' Kapur: A Pilot's Legacy of Precision and Warmth
For his family, Sumit Kapur was never defined by the tragic jet crash that claimed his life, but rather by the radiant warmth he brought into every room he entered. To those closest to him, he was affectionately known as "Bunny"—a cherished nickname that followed him from his playful childhood days right through to his final years. The 62-year-old pilot perished in a charter aircraft crash in Maharashtra, leaving behind a family still reeling from the sudden and devastating nature of their loss.
A Community United in Grief and Memory
At the Punjabi Bagh crematorium in Delhi, more than 150 relatives, close friends, and fellow aviation captains gathered, united by profound grief and shared memories of a man celebrated as the very heart of a close-knit west Delhi family. Kapur was a career pilot with an astonishing 20,000 hours of flight experience. His educational journey began at Springdales and Air Force Bal Bharati schools, after which he traveled to Canada for advanced flight training, laying the foundation for an illustrious aviation career.
A Distinguished Career in Civil Aviation
Kapur emerged as a significant figure at Sahara Airlines during the early 1990s, where colleagues fondly recall him serving as the "right hand" of the chairman. His career later flourished at Jet Airways, where his exceptional technical precision earned him the prestigious role of examiner for Boeing 737 aircraft. "Being an examiner means you have reached the ultimate level in civil aviation," explained a fellow captain who had known Kapur for two decades. "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."
For the past five years, Kapur had been associated with VSR Aviation. He is survived by his wife, his elderly father, son Shiv—who is also a pilot with VSR—and daughter Sanya, who is married to a pilot. While Kapur often flew the Learjet with co-pilot Shambhavi, who also died in the crash, his son Shiv would frequently pilot the VSR Legacy jet alongside Shambhavi's father, Vikram Pathak, a retired Indian Air Force officer.
Deeply Rooted in Delhi's Fabric
Despite his high-flying career, Bunny remained deeply grounded in his roots. His family's narrative is intertwined with the story of Delhi itself, originating in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, moving through Moradabad, and eventually settling in a family home on Panchkuian Road before relocating 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, adjacent to the family's own home under construction for over a year, recalled seeing him just two days prior. The family was eagerly preparing to move into their newly-built residence soon.
The Heart of Every Celebration
To his family, he was the man who could effortlessly transform any gathering into a joyous celebration. "Bunny was adored by everyone; he was just so jolly," said his elder cousin sister, who grew up alongside him, as she stood at the crematorium in tears, clutching memories that refused to fade. "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 Unanswered Questions
The timing of this 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. The hotel is already booked, and invitations have been dispatched. Bunny, who would have turned 63 this April, was meant to be the soul of the festivities. 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." He also highlighted the tragedy of Shambhavi's passing, revealing she was merely a week away from being promoted to commander.
A Future of Relaxation Unfulfilled
Just a week before the crash, Kapur had called a friend for a routine catch-up. During that conversation, he spoke of a relaxing future ahead. "He mentioned he was only two or three years away from retirement," the friend recalled. "He just wanted to relax afterwards." This poignant detail underscores the abrupt end to a life marked by both professional excellence and personal warmth, leaving a void in the hearts of those who knew him best.
