Captain Smit Machchhar

October 2, 2026 12:00 AM

‘Very reassured’ to meet Captain Machchhar: Indian envoy to UAE Deepak Mittal

Indian Ambassador to the UAE Deepak Mittal on Thursday said he was “very reassured” to meet Captain Smit Machchhar, who is “in good health and recovering well” after sustaining serious injuries while foiling an alleged attempt by his co-pilot to crash a Flydubai flight. 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. The plane carrying 174 people was forced to make an emergency landin...

October 1, 2026 3:42 PM

Israeli leaders hail Indian pilot as ‘true hero’ for foiling flydubai crash attempt

Israeli leaders have hailed Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian national, as a "hero" for thwarting an alleged attempt by his co-pilot to crash a flydubai flight carrying nearly 180 people, and wished him a speedy recovery. 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. "Despite being stabbed and seriously injured, he fought back, resisted, opened the cockpit door, and enabled passengers and c...

October 1, 2026 2:33 PM

‘India is proud’: BJP leaders hail pilot Smit Machchhar, wish him speedy recovery

Several BJP leaders, including Union minister Rajnath Singh and party chief Nitin Nabin, on Thursday lauded Indian pilot Smit Machchhar for his courage in averting disaster by fighting off his co-pilot's alleged attempt to crash the flydubai aircraft carrying 174 passengers. flydubai flight FZ1073, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, transmitted emergency signals on Wednesday and made a sharp descent of more than 17,000 feet from 34,000 feet before diverting to Prince Sultan Bin Abdel Aziz Airpo...

October 1, 2026 1:12 PM

‘An Indian prevented 9/11 like tragedy’: PM Modi lauds Captain Smit Machchhar who saved lives on flydubai flight

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday praised Indian Captain Smit Machchhar's bravery for foiling his co-pilot's alleged attempt to crash a flydubai flight to Israel and said that his courageous act fills every Indian's heart with pride. Addressing an event in New Delhi, he said Captain Machchhar has showed great patience, acumen and bravery. "And like Israeli PM (Benjamin Netanyahu) today said that this Indian thwarted 9/11 (like attack). For every Indian, Smit's bravery fills our heart wi...

October 1, 2026 1:04 PM

Neighbours in Mumbai fondly recall hero pilot Smit Machchhar, pray for his speedy recovery

Neighbours of the Mumbai-based family of Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar said on Thursday that they were proud of him and were praying for his speedy recovery. Captain Machchhar has been hailed as a hero for fighting off a co-pilot who allegedly tried to crash a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, drawing global attention and praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu. He used to live with his parents at Swastik Heights in the Ghatkopar area...

October 1, 2026 10:43 AM

PM Modi hails Captain Smit Machchhar as hero after Flydubai flight crisis

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday hailed Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot of Flydubai flight FZ1073, for his courage in helping avert a major in-flight crisis after he was seriously injured during an alleged cockpit attack. Calling Machchhar a “HERO”, PM Modi said the pilot 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...