Smit Machchhar hailed as hero after flydubai co-pilot allegedly tries to crash plane
Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar has been widely praised after he was seriously injured in a cockpit attack aboard a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, with passengers and crew subsequently helping to prevent a potential disaster.
President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and leaders across political parties praised Machchhar’s courage and presence of mind. Modi said the pilot’s actions helped save hundreds of lives, while Murmu hailed his determination to protect passengers despite being seriously injured.
Flight FZ1073, carrying 174 people, including 27 children, was flying at about 34,000 feet on Wednesday when it experienced a sharp descent of nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds. The aircraft then diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia and landed safely.
According to Israeli officials, the co-pilot allegedly stabbed Machchhar and attempted to take control of the aircraft. Despite his injuries, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to enter and overpower the attacker. Additional flydubai pilots who were travelling as passengers then helped stabilise the aircraft before it landed in Tabuk. The circumstances and motive behind the incident remain under investigation.
Machchhar was taken to a hospital in Tabuk after the emergency landing. Fresh reports on Thursday said he was in stable condition and had undergone treatment following the serious injuries sustained in the attack. The co-pilot, an Omani national according to officials, was taken into custody in Saudi Arabia.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also praised Machchhar, as well as the passengers and crew members who intervened during the incident. Modi separately spoke to Machchhar’s wife and parents and conveyed his appreciation for the pilot’s actions.
Machchhar, who is from Mumbai and previously flew for SpiceJet, has more than a decade of commercial aviation experience. He joined flydubai in 2022 and has logged more than 9,750 flight hours, according to Reuters.
