Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday praised Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar after he was injured in an alleged cockpit attack that saw a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
“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,” Modi said in a post on X.
“His valour helped save hundreds of lives and avert a great tragedy. India is proud of Captain Machchhar. Praying for his speedy recovery, renewed strength and good health,” he added.
Flight FZ1073, carrying 174 passengers, was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday when an altercation broke out in the cockpit. Israeli officials said the Omani co-pilot attacked and stabbed Machchhar and allegedly attempted to crash the aircraft. The Boeing 737 subsequently lost a significant amount of altitude before control was restored.
According to reports, Machchhar, despite being injured, managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to enter and help subdue the co-pilot. Two off-duty Flydubai pilots travelling as passengers also helped take control of the aircraft, which was diverted to Tabuk Airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia.
Flydubai said the aircraft was “successfully secured” by crew members and landed safely at Tabuk, with all passengers and crew accounted for. The airline said the reasons and motives behind the incident were not known and remained subject to a formal investigation, urging against premature speculation.
Machchhar was taken to a hospital in Saudi Arabia for treatment. The alleged attacker was detained by Saudi authorities.
The incident is being investigated by authorities, and the precise sequence of events and motive remain unclear. Israeli officials have described the episode as an apparent attempt to crash the aircraft, while Flydubai has said the underlying reasons remain unknown.
Machchhar joined Flydubai as a captain in June 2022 after spending about 11 years with SpiceJet. He began his flying career with the Indian airline in 2011 and served as a senior commander and line training captain in Mumbai.
His LinkedIn profile lists about 9,750 hours of flying experience and more than 13 years of commercial experience on Boeing 737 aircraft
