Captain Smit Machchhar

October 28, 2026 8:52 AM

UAE President honours Capt. Smit Machchhar, flydubai crew for courage during FZ1073 incident

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has conferred the First Class Order of Zayed II on the flydubai crew members, including Captain Smit Machchhar. The honour, one of the UAE's top civilian awards, recognises their courageous efforts to ensure passenger safety during an in-flight incident aboard FZ1073, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30. The UAE President, in the presence of Vice President & Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, received the crew...

October 15, 2026 3:28 PM

Pakistani pilots, crew barred under new Israeli aviation rules

Pakistani pilots and cabin crew are barred from serving on flights entering Israeli airspace under new restrictions, according to media reports, after a hijacking attempt last month on a flight travelling from the UAE to Israel, in which Indian Captain Smit Machchhar was injured while foiling the suspected plot. Israel's public broadcaster Kan reported that the Transportation Ministry's Aviation Security Operations Centre has issued the new and updated directives following the hijacking attempt...

October 6, 2026 8:56 PM

Indian Captain Machchhar making ‘steady progress’: Indian embassy in UAE

Indian Captain Smit Machchhar is making “steady progress” and is “regaining his health”, the Indian Embassy in the UAE said on Tuesday. On flydubai flight FZ1073 on Wednesday, Machchhar was attacked by his co-pilot, an Omani citizen, with a crash axe, typically kept in the cockpit for use in emergencies, seriously injuring him. The motive for the attack remains unclear. “Capt Smit continues to make steady progress and is regaining his health. The Embassy remains in close touch with h...

October 3, 2026 7:29 PM

Dubai Crown Prince visits Captain Smit, applauds his courage

Dubai Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence for the UAE, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, today visited Captain Smit Machchhar, the pilot who helped avert a major tragedy after being attacked by his co-pilot aboard a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Following the visit, Sheikh Hamdan took to X and praised Captain Smit for demonstrating “the highest degrees of courage, responsibility, and care for human life.” He said Captain Smit had earned the...

October 2, 2026 5:40 PM

“We are people who save lives”: PM Modi hails Captain Smit Machchhar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday interacted with Captain Smit Machchhar through a video call and commended his courage, patience and presence of mind in protecting passengers during the recent in-flight incident. The Prime Minister began the conversation by enquiring about the Captain’s health and assured him that the entire country was praying for his speedy recovery. Praising Captain Smit for taking critical decisions within fractions of a second despite sustaining serious injuries...

October 2, 2026 2:23 PM

‘One last push’: Captain Smit tells PM Modi how he reached cockpit door despite injuries

Captain Smit Machchhar, who helped avert a major tragedy after being attacked by his co-pilot aboard a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight, told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that despite suffering severe injuries, he made “one last push” to reach the cockpit door as he could not let the passengers die. Speaking to PM Modi over the phone on Friday, Captain Machchhar recalled the moments after he collapsed on the floor following the attack and said his 17 years of flying experience helped him realise t...

October 2, 2026 2:15 PM

‘Whole Country Is Praying for You’: PM Modi Speaks to Captain Smit Machchhar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday spoke to Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot who helped avert a major tragedy after being attacked by his co-pilot aboard a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. During a video call, PM Modi praised Captain Machchhar’s courage, presence of mind and composure and said the entire country was praying for his recovery. The Prime Minister began the interaction by asking the pilot about his health. “How are you? How's your health now?”...

October 2, 2026 10:17 AM

Flydubai incident: Co-pilot accused of assaulting Captain Smit transferred to UAE, says Saudi Arabia

The co-pilot accused of assaulting Captain Smit Machchhar has been transferred to Abu Dhabi. The Saudi Press Agency (SPA), quoting an official source at the Saudi Ministry of Interior, reported that both pilots left the country for Abu Dhabi after receiving medical clearance. The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi had yesterday informed that Captain Machchhar had been brought to the UAE and was recovering well. As reported by SPA, the aircraft landed safely at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Inte...

October 2, 2026 8:25 AM

Captain Smit Machchhar recovering well after flydubai incident: Indian Ambassador

Captain Smit Machchhar, who was injured in the flydubai flight incident, is in stable condition and recovering well, Indian Ambassador to the UAE Dr Deepak Mittal said. Speaking exclusively to Prasar Bharati, Ambassador Mittal said he met Captain Machchhar and his family in the UAE and found the pilot in good spirits. “He was speaking openly and smiling, which was a great relief for us and, most importantly, for his family,” the Ambassador said. Dr Mittal said Captain Machchha...

October 2, 2026 12:30 AM

Closely following health condition of Smit Machchhar: MEA

India on Thursday said it is keeping a close tab on the health of Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot hailed for saving a flydubai flight despite being stabbed by his co-pilot in an alleged attempt to bring down the plane. Machchhar was stabbed and seriously injured by his co-pilot in the cockpit of flydubai flight FZ1073, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, on Wednesday. He has been shifted to Abu Dhabi for continued medical care and recovery after he received initial medical treatment in ...