New Delhi [India], October 1 (ANI): Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu on Thursday hailed Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot of flydubai flight FZ1073, for his courage in protecting passengers after he was seriously injured during a mid-air attack aboard an Israel-bound flight, saying he displayed the Indian “spirit of service before self”.
In a post on X, Civil Aviation Minister wrote, “Capt. Smit Machchhar has made every Indian proud! His extraordinary courage and presence of mind in the cockpit helped save every life on board. From our skies to skies across the world, Indian pilots have earned respect for their skill, discipline and uncompromising commitment to safety. Salute to Capt. Smit Machchhar for upholding the Indian spirit of service before self. Wishing him a speedy recovery.”
Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol on Thursday hailed Indian Captain Smit Machchar as a “true hero” for displaying extraordinary courage and presence of mind during a cockpit attack aboard flydubai Flight FZ1073, saying his actions helped avert a major tragedy and save 174 lives.
In a statement shared by the MoS Murlidhar Mohol’s office, Mohol praised Machchhar for continuing to act despite sustaining serious injuries during the incident.
“Extraordinary courage high in the sky… A true hero! Truly an extraordinary courage and presence of mind shown by Indian Captain Smit Machchhar aboard FlyDubai Flight FZ1073. Despite being seriously injured in the cockpit, Captain Smit displayed remarkable bravery and managed to unlock the cockpit door, enabling passengers and crew to intervene at a critical moment during the flight,” Mohol said.
He said the captain’s actions, along with the efforts of passengers and crew, helped prevent a major tragedy.
“His brave act and the collective efforts of the passengers and crew helped avert a major tragedy, save 174 lives and makes every Indian really proud! Wishing Captain Smit Machchhar a speedy and complete recovery. Salutations again to the brave Captain Smit!” he added.
Captain Machchhar was piloting flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv when he was allegedly stabbed by his co-pilot, who was attempting to crash the Israel-bound aircraft. The aircraft experienced a sudden descent during the incident before the situation was brought under control.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also lauded Machchhar’s courage, saying his “extraordinary courage and remarkable presence of mind” had helped save hundreds of lives and avert a major tragedy.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also described Machchhar as a “HERO”, saying he displayed immense courage and an unwavering resolve to protect the lives of others despite being seriously injured.
“Captain Smit Machchhar is a HERO. In the face of the gravest danger and despite being seriously injured, he showed immense courage and an unwavering resolve to protect the lives of others. His valour helped save hundreds of lives and avert a great tragedy,” Modi said in a post on X.
The incident reportedly involved a confrontation in the cockpit, during which the aircraft experienced a sudden descent. Passengers and crew members intervened after the cockpit door was opened and helped secure the situation.
Machchhar is an experienced commercial pilot with more than 13 years of aviation experience. Before joining UAE-based Flydubai, he worked with SpiceJet, where he served as a Line Training Captain. He has reportedly logged around 9,750 flying hours, primarily on Boeing 737 aircraft.
Meanwhile, Flydubai has temporarily suspended flights to and from Israel as investigations into the incident continue. (ANI)
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