‘Indian helped prevent a 9/11’: PM Modi hails flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar’s bravery for averting aviation disaster
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hails Captain Smit Machchhar as a "HERO", praises his immense courage and resolve in saving 174 lives despite being seriously injured, and his timely actions aboard the flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
by Zee Media Bureau, Anjali Singh · Zee NewsPrime Minister Narendra Modi hails Captain Smit Machchhar as a "HERO", praises his immense courage and resolve in saving 174 lives despite being seriously injured, and his timely actions aboard the flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
“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,” said Prime Minister Modi in an X post.
He also praised his courage while adressing an event commemorating the 100 years of UPSC. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Indian pilot Smit Machchhar's actions during the Flydubai incident helped prevent another 9/11-like tragedy, adding that he had demonstrated remarkable "patience, presence of mind, and courage" and made the country "proud".
"This feat by Smit fills us with pride. Today, I also spoke with his father, Bhupendra; his mother, Gita; and his wife, Sonal. He is currently undergoing treatment. Today, the entire world is proud of him. I urge my fellow citizens to pray for Smit's long life and excellent health, and to salute Smit, who has brought glory to India..." Modi said.
Wishing Captain Smit a speedy recovery, PM added, “India is proud of Captain Machchhar. Praying for his speedy recovery, renewed strength and good health.”
Also Read: Inside the cockpit drama: How Captain Smit Machchhar saved 180 passengers from a rogue co-pilot
The incident unfolded aboard the Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight after Captain Smit Machchhar was stabbed by his co-pilot, who allegedly attempted to crash the aircraft.
Despite suffering serious injuries, Machchhar managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing passengers and a relief crew to enter and overpower the attacker. The aircraft was then diverted and landed safely in Saudi Arabia.
A passenger on the Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight described the panic on board as the aircraft suddenly dropped during the confrontation, CBS News reported.
“Suddenly the airplane dropped, massive turbulence for 20, 30 seconds, and then balanced, and then once again dropped for ten seconds, and balanced again, and then we saw that, in the front of the aircraft there was a riot,” passenger Almog Italie said in his video.
Citing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, CBS News reported that “after the stabbing incident, passengers held the co-pilot down while another pilot on board landed the plane safely in Saudi Arabia”.
Flydubai acknowledged the incident in a statement, saying that “an altercation occurred in the flight deck” and that the aircraft “was successfully secured by on-duty FlyDubai crew travelling on the flight, who diverted and landed the aircraft safely”.
The passengers were later flown to Tel Aviv on another aircraft.
India, Israel hail pilot’s courage
The Indian Embassy in France paid tribute to Machchhar for his “extraordinary courage”, saying he fought back after being stabbed, opened the cockpit door and helped passengers and crew subdue the attacker, preventing a catastrophe in mid-flight and saving 174 lives.
Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also hailed Machchhar as a hero, saying he fought back after being stabbed and, despite severe injuries, managed to unlock the cockpit door. This allowed Israeli passengers and Emirati crew members to intervene and save those on board.
“This man is a hero. Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian captain of flydubai Flight 1073, fought back after being stabbed in the cockpit. Despite being severely injured, he managed to unlock the cockpit door - allowing Israeli passengers and the Emirati crew to intervene and save all the passengers. Together, their extraordinary courage saved 174 lives. Indian. Israeli. Emirati. Different nationalities. One extraordinary act of courage. We wish Captain Machchhar a full and speedy recovery,” it said in a post on X.
Israel’s Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, also expressed solidarity with Machchhar and praised the joint efforts of those on board.
“Together with Israeli, Indian and UAE nations I pray for the life of Captain Smit Machchhar, the experienced and gifted hero Indian pilot of flydubai flight FZ1073. His courage & the courage of other Israeli & Emirati passengers & crew members saved the lives of 180 souls. United against terrorism!” Azar posted on X.
The Embassy of India in Israel said Machchhar showed “remarkable courage, composure and devotion to duty” despite sustaining injuries.
“A resounding salute to Captain Smit Machchhar, the brave Indian pilot of flight FZ1073! Despite sustaining injuries in an extraordinary and challenging situation, Captain Machchhar displayed remarkable courage, composure and devotion to duty, helping ensure the safety of everyone on board. Our thoughts and prayers are with Captain Machchhar for a swift and full recovery,” the Embassy said.
Captain Machchhar's aviation experience
Captain Machchhar is a seasoned pilot who currently serves as a direct-entry Captain with UAE-based carrier Flydubai.
He has more than 13 years of commercial aviation experience and 9,750 total flying hours, predominantly operating Boeing 737 (B737) aircraft.
Before joining Flydubai, he spent 11 years with Indian airline SpiceJet, where he served as a Line Training Captain.
Flydubai suspends Israel flights
Meanwhile, Flydubai will temporarily suspend flights to and from Israel as an investigation into Wednesday's mid-air incident is under way, an airline spokesperson said, CNN reported.
(with ANI inputs)
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