Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Oct 1: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday hailed Indian Flydubai pilot Captain Smit Machchhar as a “hero” for his courage during a mid-air cockpit attack that threatened the lives of passengers aboard a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight.
“Captain Smit Machchhar is a hero,” Modi said in a post on X, praising the pilot for showing immense courage and determination despite being seriously injured. He said Machchhar’s actions helped save the lives of those on board and avert a major tragedy.
“India is proud of Captain Machchhar. Praying for his speedy recovery, renewed strength and good health,” the Prime Minister added.
Machchhar, an Indian national from Mumbai, was the captain of Flydubai flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv with 174 passengers. During the flight, the co-pilot allegedly attacked and stabbed Machchhar, causing the aircraft to plunge nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds, according to Israeli officials and Reuters.
Despite his injuries, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to intervene and overpower the co-pilot. Two other pilots who were travelling on the aircraft then helped regain control, and the plane made an emergency landing at Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia.
Machchhar was taken to a hospital in Tabuk and underwent surgery. The Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia said he was in stable condition and receiving medical treatment.
US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have also praised Machchhar for his actions during the incident. Netanyahu described the Indian captain as a “true hero”, while Trump praised his decision to open the cockpit door despite his injuries.
Machchhar had earlier worked with SpiceJet for more than 11 years before joining Flydubai as a captain in June 2022, according to his LinkedIn profile and reports.
Flydubai has said the underlying reasons for the cockpit incident remain unknown and urged against premature speculation as investigations continue. The airline has also suspended flights to and from Israel amid the probe.