What specific actions did Capt Smit Machchhar take during the flight crisis?

Capt Smit Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door despite being stabbed, allowing passengers and crew to intervene and overpower the co-pilot who attempted to crash the plane.

Why was the incident involving Capt Smit Machchhar categorized as an attempted hijacking?

The incident was categorized as an attempted hijacking because the co-pilot reportedly attacked Capt Machchhar in an effort to take control of the aircraft and crash it, prompting the need for rapid intervention from passengers and crew.

How did the aviation community react to the actions of Capt Smit Machchhar?

The aviation community praised Capt Smit Machchhar as a hero for his bravery, highlighting his quick thinking and decisive actions in preventing a potentially catastrophic situation.

Capt Smit Machchhar shifted to Abu Dhabi, closely monitoring his health: MEA on flydubai Indian pilot

Indian ambassador in UAE met the pilot's family and assured them that all possible support will be extended for his health and well-being.

Updated on: Oct 1, 2026, 21:53:11 IST

By HT News Desk

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Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday that Capt Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot who was allegedly stabbed by his co-pilot aboard the flydubai flight which made an emergency landing after an alleged crash bid, was shifted to Abu Dhabi for continued medical attention after initial treatment in Saudi Arabia's Tabuk.

Indian pilot Smit Machchhar joined Flydubai as a captain in June 2022 after serving with SpiceJet as a commander for little over 11 years from June 2011, as per the profile.

It added that that Indian ambassador in UAE Deepak Mittal met him in the hospital and enquired about his well being.

“We continue to closely follow the health condition of Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian national and the brave pilot of FlyDubai flight FZ 1073,” the MEA said in a statement.

Also read: flydubai co-pilot was ‘religious extremist’, ‘refused to shake hands with women’, says colleague

“After receiving initial medical treatment in a hospital in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, he has now been shifted to Abu Dhabi for continued medical attention and recovery. Our Ambassador in UAE met Captain Machchhar in hospital and enquired about his well being,” it added.

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Also read: Who is Smit Machchhar? Hero Indian pilot who thwarted alleged flydubai flight crash attempt

Mittal also met Machchhar's family earlier and assured them that all possible support will be extended for the Captain’s health and well-being. MEA said that the Indian embassy in Abu Dhabi and Consulate in Dubai are also in close touch with the local authorities in the matter.

“We once again salute Captain Smit Machchhar’s valour and courage. We also convey our deep appreciation for the admiration and support he has received from across the world for his act of gallantry,” the MEA said.

Machchhar has been praised for fighting off his co-pilot who allegedly stabbed him and opening the cockpit door, allowing passengers to enter, take control of the plane and restrain the attacker.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu called the Indian pilot a "hero".

PM Modi has hailed the pilot and said that “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”.

Also read: Was Indian pilot hit with axe during flydubai ‘crash attempt’? Here's what Israel PM Netanyahu said

“His valour helped save hundreds of lives and avert a great tragedy,” he added.

Netanyahu also praised Machchhar for his “extraordinary bravery”.

"Despite being stabbed and seriously injured, he fought back, resisted, opened the cockpit door, and enabled passengers and crew to overpower the attacker, preventing a catastrophic mid-air disaster," he said in a post on X.

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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