O Captain! My Captain! PM Modi showers praise on Captain Machchhar, an Indian, for saving 170 lives aboard flydubai flight
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday hailed Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot of a flydubai flight, for his courage during a mid-air crisis that left him seriously injured but ended with all those aboard the aircraft safe. Modi described Machchhar as a “HERO” and said the pilot’s actions helped avert a major tragedy.
“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. “His valour helped save hundreds of lives and avert a great tragedy. India is proud of Captain Machchhar,” the Prime Minister added, while praying for his “speedy recovery, renewed strength and good health.”
Pilot injured during cockpit altercation
The incident took place aboard flydubai flight FZ1073, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 operating from Dubai to Tel Aviv. A violent confrontation reportedly broke out inside the cockpit during the flight, following which the aircraft issued emergency signals and underwent a rapid descent.
Captain Machchhar was reportedly attacked and stabbed by his co-pilot during the confrontation. The exact sequence of events, including the motive behind the incident, remains under investigation. The aircraft was eventually diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.
Despite sustaining serious injuries, Machchhar is reported to have continued efforts to regain control of the situation. Passengers and crew members subsequently entered the cockpit and helped restrain the co-pilot.
Flight loses altitude rapidly before emergency landing
The aircraft lost several thousand feet of altitude during the incident, triggering emergency procedures. The flight also transmitted emergency transponder codes as the situation unfolded.
The aircraft was eventually redirected to Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. All passengers and crew members were reported safe following the emergency landing.
Machchhar was taken to a hospital in Tabuk for treatment. The Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General of India in Jeddah have been monitoring his condition, with the pilot reported to be stable.
flydubai has confirmed that an incident occurred in the flight deck and said the aircraft was diverted and landed safely. The airline has also cautioned against speculation while authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
From SpiceJet to flydubai: Who is Captain Smit Machchhar?
Machchhar is an Indian national with extensive experience flying Boeing 737 aircraft. He previously spent around 11 years with SpiceJet, where he held senior flying and training responsibilities, before joining flydubai in 2022 as a direct-entry captain.
He has around 9,750 hours of flying experience and approximately 15 years of experience in commercial aviation. His family has reportedly travelled to Tabuk following news of his injuries.
The incident has brought widespread attention to the actions of the Indian captain, with Modi describing his conduct under extreme circumstances as an example of courage and resolve.
The investigation into the cockpit confrontation, the circumstances surrounding the injuries and the events that led to the aircraft's rapid descent is continuing.