Prime Minister Narendra Modi has praised Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his actions during the mid-air crisis involving flydubai flight FZ1073, calling him a “HERO” and saying India is proud of his courage. Machchhar was seriously injured during an altercation with the co-pilot on the Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight on September 30. According to reports from Israeli officials and Reuters, the co-pilot allegedly stabbed Machchhar and attempted to force the aircraft into a dangerous descent. Despite his injuries, Machchhar was able to help unlock the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to intervene. The aircraft was subsequently diverted and landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where the injured Indian pilot was taken to hospital.
In a post on X, Modi described Machchhar as a hero and praised his response despite being seriously injured. “Captain Smit Machchhar is a HERO,” the Prime Minister wrote, adding that the pilot showed immense courage and an unwavering resolve to protect the lives of others. Modi said Machchhar’s actions helped save hundreds of lives and avert a major tragedy, concluding that India was proud of the captain. The Prime Minister’s remarks came after details of the incident emerged and Machchhar received praise from officials in India and Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also praised the Indian pilot for his role during the emergency.
The incident unfolded aboard flydubai flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv with 174 people on board. Reuters reported that the aircraft experienced a sudden and severe loss of altitude after the alleged attack inside the cockpit. Machchhar, despite being injured, managed to open the cockpit door, enabling passengers and crew to enter and intervene. A reserve flydubai crew that was travelling on the aircraft then helped take control of the situation and land the plane safely in Tabuk. The passengers were subsequently assisted by Saudi authorities and were later expected to continue their journey to Tel Aviv. The motive behind the co-pilot’s actions remains unclear, and authorities are investigating the incident.
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Machchhar, an Indian citizen, had been working with flydubai since 2022, according to Reuters. Before joining the Dubai-based airline, he spent about 11 years with SpiceJet and had built a long career in commercial aviation. Reuters reported that he had accumulated around 9,750 flying hours and had trained in New Zealand before beginning his professional aviation career. The Mumbai native had initially been expected to join his family’s textile business but developed an interest in flying at the age of 19. His career eventually took him into commercial aviation, where he went on to become a captain with flydubai.
The emergency also involved the intervention of passengers and other crew members, who helped subdue the co-pilot after the cockpit door was opened. Reuters reported that passengers and crew managed to overpower the attacker, while additional pilots aboard the aircraft helped ensure it could be landed safely. The incident has raised questions about aviation security and cockpit access procedures, although authorities have cautioned against drawing conclusions before the investigation is completed. Flydubai described the event as an “altercation” and has indicated that investigations are continuing. The airline also temporarily suspended flights to and from Israel following the incident.
Machchhar is now recovering in a hospital in Tabuk after suffering injuries during the cockpit confrontation. Reuters reported that his injuries were not life-threatening and that he underwent treatment following the emergency landing. The Indian government has also been in contact with the pilot and his family as he receives medical care in Saudi Arabia. The incident has drawn attention across India and internationally because of the circumstances in which the pilot continued to respond to the emergency despite being injured. Modi’s public praise adds to the recognition Machchhar has received following the incident, while investigations by the relevant authorities are expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the cockpit attack and the co-pilot’s alleged attempt to take control of the aircraft.
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