Hero Flydubai Pilot Capt. Smit Machchhar Airlifted to UAE; Indian Envoy Visits Hospital

Dubai / Abu Dhabi:

Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian flydubai pilot hailed globally as a hero for saving 174 lives during a mid-air cockpit attack, has been airlifted to the UAE from Saudi Arabia, where he had been receiving emergency medical treatment.

India’s Ambassador to the UAE, Dr. Deepak Mittal, visited Captain Machchhar and his family at the hospital on Thursday to review his progress and extend the Indian government's full support.

Ambassador Visits Hospital; Pilot Recovering Well

• Stable and High Spirits: According to the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, Captain Machchhar is in good health and recovering well. Ambassador Mittal noted that the pilot was speaking openly, smiling, and laughing—bringing immense relief to his family and well-wishers.
  
  
• Support to Family: Earlier on Thursday, Ambassador Mittal and the Consul General of India in Dubai, Dr. E. Vishnu Vardhan Reddy, met Captain Machchhar’s wife, brother, and family members in Dubai. The mission reaffirmed that it remains in close coordination with UAE authorities to ensure seamless medical care, saluting the pilot's extraordinary courage and selflessness.
  
  

The Mid-Air Cockpit Crisis

• Stabbing Incident: The incident took place aboard flydubai flight FZ1073, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv, when the co-pilot allegedly stabbed Captain Machchhar inside the flight deck.
  
  
• Rapid Descent: Flight data revealed that the airliner plummeted more than 14,000 feet in just 29 seconds. The cockpit transponder was initially switched to emergency code 7700 before being changed seven minutes later to 7500, indicating unlawful interference.
  
  
• Decisive Heroism: Despite sustaining severe injuries and lying on the cockpit floor, Captain Machchhar managed to activate the door release switch. This crucial move enabled flight attendants and passengers to breach the cockpit and overpower the attacker.
  
  
• Emergency Landing: The aircraft was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely, and Captain Machchhar underwent emergency surgery before being stabilized and transferred to the UAE.
  
  

Global Acclaim and State Honors

• National and Global Leaders React: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Captain Machchhar as a true hero whose presence of mind averted a massive disaster. President Droupadi Murmu commended his indomitable spirit, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recognized the captain and passengers for preventing a catastrophe.
  
  
• 'Visisht Gujarat Garima Award': Celebrating the pilot’s valor, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced that the state government will confer the prestigious 'Visisht Gujarat Garima Award' on Captain Machchhar. Special prayers were also offered at the Somnath Temple for his swift recovery.