Punjab Newsline | New Delhi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday praised Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his courage and presence of mind during a mid-air emergency aboard a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Modi referred to the incident while addressing the centenary celebrations of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
Modi said Machchhar’s actions had made the entire country proud and appealed to people to pray for his speedy recovery, good health and long life. The Prime Minister also said he had spoken to Machchhar’s family and assured that the entire country stood with them during the difficult time.
The incident took place on Wednesday aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073. According to reports, the aircraft was carrying 174 people when an altercation broke out in the cockpit. The Indian captain was allegedly stabbed by the co-pilot, who reportedly attempted to take control of the aircraft. The Boeing 737 MAX 8 subsequently plunged nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds, according to flight-tracking data.
Despite being seriously injured, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door. According to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s spokesperson Doron Spielman, the wounded captain used what was described as the “last moments of his energy” to release the cockpit door. This enabled passengers and crew members to enter the cockpit and overpower the attacker.
Two off-duty Flydubai pilots who were travelling as passengers subsequently helped regain control of the aircraft. The plane was diverted and made a safe emergency landing at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia. Machchhar was taken to hospital and was reported to be in stable condition.
Netanyahu also publicly praised Machchhar, describing his actions as extraordinary bravery and saying that the Indian pilot helped prevent a catastrophic mid-air disaster and save the lives of 174 people.
The circumstances and motive behind the cockpit attack remain under investigation. Authorities have not yet established a definitive motive for the incident.
