‘India Is Proud of Captain Machchhar’: PM Modi Hails Flydubai Pilot, Hopes for His Speedy Recovery

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday praised Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his actions during a serious incident aboard a flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv.

Machchhar was injured during an altercation in the cockpit of flydubai flight FZ1073 on September 30. According to reports, the co-pilot allegedly attacked him and attempted to take control of the aircraft. The flight subsequently made an emergency landing at Tabuk in Saudi Arabia.

PM Modi calls Machchhar a ‘hero’

In a post on X, Modi described Captain Machchhar as a “hero” and praised his courage despite being seriously injured.

The Prime Minister said Machchhar showed determination to protect the lives of others and that his actions helped avert what could have been a major tragedy.

“India is proud of Captain Machchhar,” Modi said while wishing the pilot a speedy recovery, renewed strength and good health.

What happened aboard the flydubai flight?

The Boeing 737 was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv with 174 passengers on board when the cockpit altercation occurred.

Reuters reported that the aircraft rapidly lost altitude, dropping nearly 14,000 feet in around 30 seconds. The injured captain and passengers and crew members helped prevent the situation from escalating, while additional flydubai pilots travelling on the aircraft eventually took control and landed the plane safely at Tabuk.

The airline confirmed that an altercation had occurred in the flight deck but cautioned against premature speculation, saying that the circumstances and motives remained subject to investigation.

Captain Machchhar's condition

The Indian Embassy in Riyadh said Captain Machchhar is receiving medical treatment at a hospital in Tabuk and that initial reports indicated he was in stable condition.

The embassy and the Consulate General of India in Jeddah said they were in contact with Machchhar's family and were coordinating with Saudi authorities to provide assistance.

Who is Smit Machchhar?

Machchhar is an experienced Boeing 737 pilot who previously worked with SpiceJet before joining flydubai.

According to The Indian Express, he joined flydubai in June 2022 after spending about 11 years with SpiceJet. His professional profile lists approximately 9,750 hours of flying experience.

The Times of India reported that Machchhar is from Mumbai and had undergone commercial pilot training in New Zealand before completing Boeing 737 type training in India.

Passengers and crew helped avert a major crisis

Reports said passengers and crew members intervened after the cockpit incident. An additional pair of flydubai pilots travelling as passengers also helped take over the aircraft after the cockpit was secured.

The aircraft was then diverted to Tabuk, where all passengers and crew were accounted for. The precise sequence of events and the motive behind the alleged attack remain under investigation.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also praised Machchhar and others involved in bringing the situation under control.

The incident has since drawn international attention, while authorities continue investigating the cockpit altercation and the circumstances surrounding the attempted disruption of the flight.