South Africa tour of India 2019
Air India Pilot Lauded for Heroic Mumbai Landing Amid Heavy Rains
Amidst torrential rains and a red alert in Mumbai, Air India pilot Captain Neeraj Sethi has emerged as a social media hero after safely landing a flight under extreme weather conditions on August 19. A passenger on board captured the remarkable moment, showing the aircraft’s steady descent on a rain-soaked runway. The video quickly went viral, earning widespread appreciation.
One passenger, who posted the clip online, wrote, “Tips of hats to Captain Neeraj Sethi for a safe landing with lesser visibility.” Social media was soon filled with praise, with comments such as “The true heroes of Indian skies” and “Hats off to the pilots braving such conditions.”
While experts pointed out that modern autopilot systems assist in such landings, the consensus among netizens was that Captain Sethi’s skill and composure deserve applause.
The landing took place during one of Mumbai’s worst monsoon disruptions this season. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a red alert for August 19, warning of extreme rainfall. The downpour caused massive waterlogging, paralyzing road transport and forcing the closure of schools, colleges, and even the Bombay High Court for half a day. Train services on Central Railway were severely affected as tracks went underwater, while more than 250 flights were canceled or delayed at Mumbai Airport.
Authorities have now issued an orange alert for August 20, suggesting that rainfall will continue, albeit with reduced intensity. The incident not only highlighted the chaos brought on by the monsoon but also underscored the vital role pilots play in ensuring passenger safety during such testing circumstances.
#Mumbai airport landing in midst of heavy rains. #MumbaiRains Hats off to Captain Mr. Neeraj Sethi for landing safely with less visibility. @airindia VT-TNC pic.twitter.com/khvJTSWnv7
— 🇮🇳 Vidyasagar Jagadeesan🇮🇳 (@jvidyasagar) August 19, 2025
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