Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday praised Flydubai captain Smit Machchhar for his actions during a serious in-flight emergency, calling the Indian pilot a “hero” and expressing his wishes for his speedy recovery.
Machchhar was flying Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30 when a violent confrontation reportedly took place inside the cockpit. The Boeing 737, carrying 174 people, subsequently diverted and landed safely at Tabuk in Saudi Arabia.
According to reports, Machchhar was seriously injured during an alleged attack by his co-pilot. Despite his injuries, he reportedly managed to open the cockpit door, allowing crew members and passengers to intervene. Two other Flydubai pilots travelling on the aircraft also assisted in bringing the aircraft under control before it landed safely.
The exact sequence of events and the motive behind the confrontation remain under investigation. Flydubai has urged caution against speculation, saying the underlying reasons for the incident are not yet known and will be established through a formal investigation.
PM Modi Praises Machchhar’s Courage
In a post on X, Modi described Machchhar as a hero and said that, despite being seriously injured, he demonstrated courage and determination to protect the lives of others.
The Prime Minister also said that Machchhar’s actions helped prevent a major tragedy and wished him a speedy recovery.
Indian officials said Machchhar is receiving treatment at a hospital in Tabuk. The Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia has been in contact with his family and Saudi authorities, with reports indicating that his condition is stable.
Experienced Flydubai Captain
Machchhar, who is from Mumbai, has extensive experience as a commercial pilot. He previously spent more than a decade with SpiceJet before joining Flydubai in 2022. His professional profile lists around 9,750 hours of flying experience, primarily on Boeing 737 aircraft.
The incident has drawn international attention, with officials and political leaders praising the pilot’s actions. However, authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the cockpit confrontation and the alleged attack.
The aircraft was ultimately brought safely to the ground at Tabuk, and all passengers and crew were reported safe.