Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar saved 174 lives on Flydubai Flight FZ1073 after a mid-air struggle on Wednesday. Despite being stabbed by his co-pilot, he unlocked the cockpit door so passengers could intervene. Virender Sehwag said, "His extraordinary courage saved 174 lives." The pilot is now recovering in Saudi Arabia.
Indian sportspersons have rallied behind Flydubai pilot Captain Smit Machchhar after the Indian national played a crucial role in preventing a possible hijacking of Flight FZ1073.
Machchhar was piloting the Dubai-Tel Aviv flight when an alleged confrontation with his co-pilot inside the cockpit sent the aircraft into an emergency. The Indian pilot was stabbed multiple times during the struggle but, despite being seriously injured, managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to intervene and overpower the co-pilot.
As details of the dramatic incident emerged in India on Thursday, October 1, several prominent Indian sportspersons took to social media to salute Machchhar, who is currently recovering in a hospital in Saudi Arabia. Former India cricketers Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh were among those who praised the pilot's courage and wished him a speedy recovery.
Sehwag described Machchhar's actions as extraordinary, highlighting how the injured pilot managed to unlock the cockpit door and allow passengers and crew members to intervene.
"Captain Smit Machchhar, captain of flydubai Flight 1073, fought back after being stabbed in the cockpit. Despite being severely injured, he managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing passengers and the crew to intervene and save all the passengers," Sehwag wrote.
"His extraordinary courage saved 174 lives. 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. Bharat is proud of Captain Smit Machchhar. Praying for his speedy recovery and good health."
Yuvraj also paid tribute to Machchhar, focusing on his decision to continue fighting despite his injuries.
"Some moments show you what a person is truly made of. Captain Smit Machchhar showed extraordinary courage in the face of grave danger, putting the lives of others before his own despite being seriously injured," Yuvraj wrote.
"That kind of courage deserves the deepest respect. Wishing him strength, a speedy recovery and good health."
WHO IS SMIT MACHCHHAR?
Captain Smit Machchhar is an Indian pilot who was flying Flydubai Flight FZ1073 from the UAE to Tel Aviv when the incident unfolded on Wednesday.
Around two hours into the flight, the aircraft transmitted the emergency code 7700, signalling a general emergency. It was followed by code 7500, which indicates possible hijacking or unlawful interference.
The emergency had begun inside the cockpit, where Machchhar was attacked and stabbed multiple times by his co-pilot, an Omani national. Israeli officials said the co-pilot was attempting to take control of the aircraft and crash it.
Despite suffering serious injuries and losing a large amount of blood, Machchhar managed to send the emergency signals and then open the cockpit door from inside. His decision allowed passengers and crew members to enter the cockpit and overpower the co-pilot, who was allegedly interfering with the aircraft's controls.
Among those who rushed to the cockpit was dentist Dr Shota Musaev, who treated Machchhar as he lay seriously injured on the floor.
Two off-duty Flydubai pilots who were travelling as passengers subsequently took control of the aircraft. The plane was diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, where it made an emergency landing.
Machchhar was taken to a hospital in Tabuk and underwent surgery. He was later reported to be in stable condition, while the passengers and remaining crew members were brought to safety.
The circumstances surrounding the confrontation between the two pilots remain under investigation. Flydubai has said the reasons for the incident are not yet known and warned against premature speculation.
The incident has since drawn praise from beyond the sporting world, with US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also hailing Machchhar for his actions during the emergency.