Edge Rewrite
pun Source code View original
Jump to content

// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did Smit Machchhar say to his date? You're a-machch-hingly beautiful

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Smit Machchhar
Born1987 or 1988 (age 38–39)[1]
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India[2][3][4]
EducationWelingkar Institute of Management Development and Research[5]
Mainland Air Flight School[6][7][8]
OccupationPilot
Years active2008–present
Known forCaptain of Flydubai Flight FZ1073
SpouseSonal Machchhar[9][1][7]
Children2[9][1][7]
HonoursVishisht Gujarat Garima Award (VGGA)[10][11][12]

Smit Machchhar (born 1987 or 1988)[1] is an Indian commercial pilot who, while serving as the captain aboard Flydubai Flight 1073 on 30 September 2026 on a Boeing 737 MAX, was stabbed by his Omani co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami[13][14][a] in the cockpit. Machchhar received life-threatening injuries in the attack, but managed to open the cockpit door from the inside, allowing crew and passengers to intervene and subdue the co-pilot. The airplane then safely made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, with no fatalities.[3][15][16][5]

Before joining Flydubai, Machchhar worked at SpiceJet for 11 years and has previous experience flying the Boeing 737.[17][18]

Early life and education

[edit]

Originally from Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, Machchhar is a Gujarati hindu.[2][3][4] His family and friends call him "Smit Mac".[19][20] His family is from the Ghatkopar East suburb of Mumbai.[7] His family worked in the textile industry, and as a child he assumed he would join the family business.[6][1][7] He studied and received degrees in both management and textile engineering.[1][7] He studied business at Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research.[5]

At the age of 19, he went to a seminar on the airline industry, which led him to research how to become a professional airline pilot.[5][1][21] In a 2025 interview on a YouTube channel hosted by Zalak Mehta, he said, that as opposed to other pilots operating aircraft at that time, he had not originally had a childhood dream to enter flight training, but rather was inspired to do so at a later point in his career.[22][5][23] In 2008, Machchhar spent 18 months in Dunedin, New Zealand, doing flight training at Mainland Air out of Dunedin Airport.[6][7][8] His friend, Dharav Gosalia, who attended flight school with him, helped him join the airline.[20] Captain Dhaval Patel, fellow pilot and friend who trained with him in New Zealand, said Machchhar enjoyed teaching and mentoring others.[19] Patel stated, he recalled Machchhar assisting friends and fellow flight students and pilots, helping them with key points in flight training and distilling his knowledge to them.[19] Mainland Air stated he was accomplished academically, and that he was prominent among his peers and excelled in his coursework.[24][8] Mainland Air CEO Philip Kean stated, Machchhar was constantly happy to be learning during his time in flight school, and worked diligently to achieve in his studies.[7] After completing his training, Machchhar returned to India to work as a pilot.[2]

Career

[edit]
A6-FKF, the aircraft piloted by Machchhar for Flydubai, photographed in January 2026

Machchhar's first professional experience in the cockpit of a commercial airliner was on a flight in India, from Bengaluru to Delhi.[1] He noted of this early flying experience, that he felt anxious not due to the flying skills needed but rather the duty of commanding a commercial aircraft.[1] From early on in his professional flying experience, Machchhar knew that he wanted to pilot Boeing airplanes.[21][1] He said the first aircraft he flew was built by Boeing, and he had stayed with planes built by the company throughout his subsequent career.[21][1] He was hired by the Indian airline SpiceJet in 2011, where he was trained by Captain Gurucharan Arora.[1][25][26] He worked there alongside his friend from Mumbai and fellow flight school graduate colleague, Captain Dharav Gosalia.[20] Machchhar worked for SpiceJet for 11 years.[27][25] His roles there included senior commander, line training captain, and mentor to other pilots.[25][26][7]

He was hired by Flydubai as a captain and pilot in 2022, and worked out of their Dubai facilities.[21][25][28] By 2026, he had garnered over 13 years experience as a commercial pilot.[5][17] He logged 9,750 hours on the Boeing 737-800 and 737 MAX 8/9 aircraft.[20][5][17] Of this, he served as pilot-in-command for 6,400 hours on those aircraft.[17][25][24]

As a captain, Machchhar had previously dealt with monsoon turbulence and an in-flight birth.[24][6][1] He described the decisions he had to make during the birth: "We checked out the nearest airfields, the weather for all the airfields, we saw what is operationally feasible, we had six, seven minutes. And suddenly in [the] next couple of minutes we got a call, 'We've got a baby on board.'"[1]

Machchhar has also been an instructor at Fly By Aviation, a private flight school.[6]

Flydubai Flight 1073

[edit]
Flight telemetry showing aircraft entering a steep dive at 05:20 (UTC; Gulf time is 4 hours ahead)

Machchhar served as pilot on the Flydubai Flight FZ1073 on 30 September 2026.[21] The aircraft, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 (registration A6-FKF), was carrying about 180 people from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion Airport in Israel.[21] Two hours into the flight, the plane descended about 14,000 feet in 29 seconds.[29] The airplane transmitted emergency code 7700, followed by aircraft hijacking code 7500.[15][30][31]

Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu stated the co-pilot attempted to crash the plane after stabbing Machchhar. Though badly injured by his Omani co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami,[32][33][a] he fought back and unlocked the cockpit door, allowing crew and passengers to subdue the co-pilot.[34][24] Passengers further stopped the airplane's rapid descent.[16][15][3][35] By the time he was able to open the cockpit door, Machchhar had already lost a great deal of blood and collapsed.[36][34] While lying on the floor and bleeding, under the care of a dentist passenger, Machchhar told the dentist about his children and asked him to save his life.[2][1] The dentist, Shota Musaev, stated the pilot had incurred "massive blood loss" and was "severely wounded".[7]

Two relief pilots on the airplane reached the cockpit.[37] The airplane made an emergency landing at Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Both pilots were taken to hospital. Machchhar underwent surgery and was in stable condition.[34][38] The passengers were transferred to another Flydubai aircraft after Saudi Arabia refused to let Israel send planes to collect them.[30] Flydubai temporarily suspended flights to and from Israel while it investigated the incident. Israeli government sources called the incident an act of terror and started an investigation. The co-pilot was interrogated by Saudi authorities. Israel began more aggressive screening procedures for foreign pilots on planes with passengers from Israel.[30][35][15][16][39]

After his medical treatment in Saudi Arabia, he was taken by air medical services to Abu Dhabi.[21][6] He was visited there by the Ambassador of India.[6][21] His family had traveled there to be with him.[6][21]

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu called Machchhar a "true hero" and said he saved the lives of 174 people. This praise was echoed by the Embassy of India in Saudi Arabia.[16][15][38]

Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi publicly released video of a phone call reach out to Smit Machchhar as he recovered in hospital in the United Arab Emirates.[40][41][42]

Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi personally reached out to the wife and parents of Machchhar and said he was, "Praying for his speedy recovery, renewed strength and good health."[43] Modi stated: "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. His valor helped save hundreds of lives and avert a great tragedy."[24] Modi said the pilot had displayed, "patience, presence of mind and courage"[24] He stated the captain's "actions prevented another 9/11-like attack from happening."[24][27] Speaking for the people of India, Modi emphasized, "Smit's bravery fills every Indian with pride."[24]

Two separate GoFundMe fundraisers were set up to support Machchhar's family, and his medical expenses.[36] The day after the incident, the campaigns had raised a total of US$80,000.[36] Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar praised Machchhar's actions, saying, "A true real-life hero. The entire world is proud of you."[36] Fellow cricketers including Suresh Raina, Virender Sehwag, and Yuvraj Singh sent messages of support.[36] He received comments honoring his actions from Bollywood film actors including Shamita Shetty, Raveena Tandon, and Sonam Kapoor.[36]

While in hospital in Abu Dhabi, Machchhar received a phone call from Indian Prime Minister Modi.[40][41][42] Machchhar was heartened by the call, telling Modi, "You are my biggest idol, and I am feeling very proud that you called me and encouraged me. I was fighting for my life in that moment."[44] The Prime Minister's office publicly released video of the phone call interaction between the Indian leader and the pilot on 2 October 2026.[41] Machchhar explained how he struggled to get help and open the cockpit door as he was being attacked.[45][42] He told Modi that he was motivated both to save his own life, and the lives of everyone on board his aircraft.[40][46][47] He said his 17 years of flying experience helped him act in the emergency situation.[48] Machchhar stated, "I was fighting for my life. I was so badly hurt that I had fallen to the ground. But I knew I had to act. I could feel the aircraft was going down."[47] He explained to Modi the difficulty in summoning the energy to open the cockpit door to request help: "And I knew in that moment – one last push, Smit! Just do it. The door is right there. And even at that time, he was beating me up. And then I just opened it... and then everybody came."[49][50] Prime Minister Modi spoke to Machchhar in the Gujarati language, as both are originally from the state of Gujarat in the West of India.[50] Modi spoke on behalf of the Indian people, encouraging Machchhar, "Get better and healthy, the whole nation is with you."[49] The Prime Minister told the pilot, "The whole country can proudly say that we Indians are not people who take lives, we are people who save lives."[51]

Personal life and family

[edit]

Machchhar lives in Dubai with his spouse Sonal Machchhar and two children.[9][1][7] They moved to Dubai for his role with Flydubai.[2] He has said he focuses on his family when he is off duty: "When I get out of the cockpit or the aircraft, I don't want the other guy to know that I'm a pilot I don't want to discuss aviation. When I wear the uniform, then no nonsense and just do your job, finish the job. When you walk out of the cockpit, that's it. Stop thinking about that. Someone else needs you now. The kids are there. They want to play with you."[5]

Awards and honours

[edit]

For his heroism on Flydubai Flight 1073, Machchhar was awarded the Vishisht Gujarat Garima Award (VGGA) by the Government of Gujarat.[10][11][12]

The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) wrote to Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi in a letter from 2 October 2026, requesting Machchhar be given a National Bravery Award.[52][53][54]

Israeli Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, stated his country would give an honour to Machchhar for his actions saving the lives of those onboard his airplane.[55][56][57] Ambassador Azar called the pilot "a great hero".[57] He said Machchhar's bravery had moved the people of Israel, and that the nation's government officials perceived his courage under crisis.[57][55][56]

Indian Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, along with Sun Foundation Chairman Vikramjit Singh Sahney, publicized their award on 3 October 2026 to Machchhar.[58][59] They declared a "Smit Machchhar Bravery Award" of for his, "act of extraordinary courage during a life-threatening cockpit attack on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv."[59] The award came with a monetary prize of 25 lakh Indian rupees. (US$33738.37)[58][59] Sahney wrote a letter to Prime Minister Modi, asking for Machchhar be given the National Bravery Award and the Ashoka Chakra Award.[58][59] Sahney said the monetary portion of the award would use Machchhar's name to help budding young flight captains to receive scholarships for flight training school.[59] He explained, "May his courage inspire our youth to serve with courage, responsibility and an unwavering commitment to human life."[58]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. 1 2 Arabic: همّام الهمّامي, romanized: Hamām al-Hammāmiyy

Citations

[edit]
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Pokharel, Krishna; Hassan, Aakash, "The 38-Year-Old Captain Who Fought Off Cockpit Attack on FlyDubai Flight - Smit Machchhar is hailed for his heroism after being stabbed on Flight 1073", The Wall Street Journal, archived from the original on 1 October 2026, retrieved 1 October 2026
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Craw, Victoria (1 October 2026), "Who is the Indian pilot who fought off his cockpit attacker? - Captain Smit Machchhar once said he had planned to join his family's textile business before being bitten by the "aviation bug."", The Washington Post, archived from the original on 1 October 2026, retrieved 1 October 2026
  3. 1 2 3 4 Zanger-Shamir, Maya (30 September 2026). "Flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar reportedly aided rescue efforts while wounded". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
  4. 1 2 "Gujarat Pilot Smit Machchhar Stops Co-Pilot From Taking Control, Prevents Flydubai Flight From Crashing". Vibes of India. 30 September 2026. Archived from the original on 1 October 2026. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Ahmed, Aftab; Sharma, Saurabh; Ahmed, Aftab (1 October 2026). "From textile engineering to cockpit hero: Indian pilot wins praise after flydubai drama". Reuters. Retrieved 1 October 2026.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Sengupta, Somini; Raj, Suhasini; Mashal, Mujib (1 October 2026), "Who Is the Indian Pilot Being Hailed as a Hero? - Capt. Smit Machchhar suffered stab wounds while fending off an attack from his co-pilot, saving the lives of around 170 people on board, officials said.", The New York Times, retrieved 1 October 2026
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Mogul, Rhea; Shah, Ayushi (1 October 2026), "Captain Smit Machchhar: The 'jovial' pilot and father who thwarted the Flydubai attacker", CNN, archived from the original on 1 October 2026, retrieved 1 October 2026
  8. 1 2 3 "NZ-trained pilot stabbed on Israel-bound flight 'stood out' as student". 1News. Archived from the original on 1 October 2026. Retrieved 1 October 2026.
  9. 1 2 3 "Flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar's wife recalls shock: 'Didn't have the mental capacity'", The Times of India, 2 October 2026, retrieved 2 October 2026
  10. 1 2 Anwer, Laraib (1 October 2026), "Gujarat announces award for flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar in honour of his 'bravery'", Khaleej Times, retrieved 2 October 2026
  11. 1 2 Mahajan, Trishta (1 October 2026), "'Indomitable bravery': Indian flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar to be awarded 'Visisht Gujarat Garima Award'", The Times of India, archived from the original on 2 October 2026, retrieved 2 October 2026
  12. 1 2 "Flydubai stabbing incident: Pilot Machchhar to be honoured with 'Visisht Gujarat Garima Award'", The Economic Times, 1 October 2026, archived from the original on 1 October 2026, retrieved 2 October 2026
  13. ↑ Abbas Al Lawati, Tal Shalev, Kylie Atwood, Isaac Yee, Avery Schmitz, Thomas Bordeaux, Teele Rebane (2 October 2026). "Terrorist images found on Flydubai suspect's social media | CNN". CNN. Retrieved 3 October 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  14. ↑ Mitchell McCluskey, Tal Shalev (1 October 2026). "What happened inside the Flydubai flight to Israel? | CNN". CNN. Retrieved 3 October 2026.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 "Flydubai latest: Hero passenger says he put attacker in a chokehold after cockpit struggle". CNN. 30 September 2026. Archived from the original on 30 September 2026. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
  16. 1 2 3 4 "'Hero' pilot stabbed by other pilot on Israel-bound plane, Israeli PM says". BBC News. 30 September 2026. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
  17. 1 2 3 4 "Who is Smit Machchhar? Indian captain who fought flydubai co-pilot to land flight safely". The Financial Express. 30 September 2026. Archived from the original on 30 September 2026. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
  18. ↑ Jose, Sachin (30 September 2026). "Who is Smit Machchhar? Hero Indian flydubai captain was former SpiceJet pilot, has 9,750 flying hours on Boeing aircraft". The Week. Archived from the original on 1 October 2026. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
  19. 1 2 3 Patidar, Som; Bennett, Lachlan; Stein, Lucia (2 October 2026), "Friend of stabbed pilot Smit Machchhar speaks of shock, welcomes hero's recovery", Australian Broadcasting Company, retrieved 2 October 2026
  20. 1 2 3 4 Biswas, Soutik (1 October 2026), "'He's taught us courage': Friend on Indian pilot hailed as a hero", BBC News, retrieved 1 October 2026
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Aggarwal, Mithil (1 October 2026), "What we know about the pilot hailed as a hero for averting crash of Israel-bound plane - Captain Smit Machchhar was severely injured by his fellow pilot but managed to open the cockpit door, an action credited with saving the lives of everyone on board.", NBC News, archived from the original on 1 October 2026, retrieved 1 October 2026
  22. ↑ Mehta, Zalak (17 October 2025), "Captain Smit Machchhar (The Indian Hero) Ep-2 of Bonafide Banter with CS Zalak Mehta", Bonafide Banter, YouTube, archived from the original on 1 October 2026, retrieved 3 October 2026
  23. ↑ "From textile engg to passion for aviation: Indian pilot Smit Machchhar wins praise for averting flydubai crash". The Tribune. Press Trust of India. 1 October 2026. Retrieved 1 October 2026.
  24. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Saaliq, Sheikh; Maqbool, Rafiq (1 October 2026), "An Indian airline captain is hailed as a hero after a cockpit attack on a FlyDubai flight", Associated Press, retrieved 1 October 2026
  25. 1 2 3 4 5 "Who Is Smit Machchhar, Indian Pilot Who Fended Off Omani Co-Pilot Aboard Flydubai Flight". News18. 30 September 2026. Archived from the original on 30 September 2026. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
  26. 1 2 "Who is Smit Machchhar, flydubai pilot involved in mid-air cockpit incident". India.com. 30 September 2026. Archived from the original on 1 October 2026. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
  27. 1 2 Norman-Diamond, Greg (1 October 2026), "FlyDubai pilot showed world 'the highest form of courage,' India's PM says - Prime Minister Modi said Captain Smit Machchhar 'prevented another 9/11-like attack'", Fox News, archived from the original on 1 October 2026, retrieved 1 October 2026
  28. ↑ "Meet Smit Machchhar, Flydubai captain stabbed in cockpit who fought to save jet". Ynetnews. 30 September 2026. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
  29. ↑ Chakraborty, Abhishek (1 October 2026), "Plunged 14,000 feet in 29 secs: How stabbed Indian pilot averted flydubai crash - The flydubai stabbing on Flight FZ1073 sent a Boeing 737 diving 14,125 feet in 29 seconds before it landed safely in Saudi Arabia.", The Indian Express, retrieved 2 October 2026
  30. 1 2 3 Blumenthal, Itay (30 September 2026). "אחרי שעות מורטות עצבים: נוסעי "פליי דובאי" שבו ארצה". Kan News (in Hebrew). Archived from the original on 30 September 2026. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
  31. ↑ "Copilot subdued after stabbing pilot in alleged attempt to crash plane full of Israelis". The Times of Israel. 30 September 2026. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
  32. ↑ Abbas Al Lawati, Tal Shalev, Kylie Atwood, Isaac Yee, Avery Schmitz, Thomas Bordeaux, Teele Rebane (2 October 2026). "Terrorist images found on Flydubai suspect's social media | CNN". CNN. Retrieved 3 October 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  33. ↑ Mitchell McCluskey, Tal Shalev (1 October 2026). "What happened inside the Flydubai flight to Israel? | CNN". CNN. Retrieved 3 October 2026.
  34. 1 2 3 "'Immense courage and resolve': Pilot feted for crucial role in saving the lives of all aboard flydubai 1073 - Indian national Smit Machchhar undergoes surgery in Saudi Arabia after being attacked by Omani copilot, who Netanyahu says 'obviously hated Israelis' while acknowledging his 'exact background' remains unclear", The Times of Israel, 1 October 2026, archived from the original on 1 October 2026, retrieved 1 October 2026
  35. 1 2 "ركاب رحلة "فلاي دبي" يصلون تل أبيب ونتنياهو يلتقيهم في المطار". BBC News Arabic (in Arabic). 30 September 2026.
  36. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Nearly $80,000 raised for wounded flydubai pilot - A GoFundMe campaign organized by Jewish Breaking News raised more than $73,000 toward a $130,000 goal for flydubai Capt. Smit Machchhar.", The Jerusalem Post, 1 October 2026, retrieved 1 October 2026
  37. ↑ Yerushalmy, Jonathan; Ellis-Petersen, Hannah; Hassan, Aakash (1 October 2026). "'Hero' pilot, plumber and dentist among those who saved flydubai flight to Israel". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 October 2026.
  38. 1 2 "Flydubai Pilot Smit Machchhar Undergoes Surgery After Cockpit Stabbing". i24NEWS. 30 September 2026. Archived from the original on 30 September 2026. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
  39. ↑ "Flydubai pilot stabbed in attempt to down Israel-bound plane". Deutsche Welle. 30 September 2026. Archived from the original on 30 September 2026. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
  40. 1 2 3 Castro, Amanda; Backus, Alex; Rhett Miller, Joshua (2 October 2026), "Who Is Captain Smit Machchhar? Flydubai Pilot Hailed as Hero", Newsweek, retrieved 2 October 2026
  41. 1 2 3 Haworth, Jon; Gardiner, Charlotte; Pereira, Ivan; Jovanovic, Dada (2 October 2026), "'The last push, Smit': FlyDubai captain Smit Machchhar recounts harrowing cockpit attack - Machchhar spoke to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.", ABC News, archived from the original on 2 October 2026, retrieved 2 October 2026
  42. 1 2 3 "Indian pilot tells PM Modi he opened flydubai cockpit door during attack", Reuters, 2 October 2026, retrieved 2 October 2026
  43. ↑ Asia News Network (2 October 2026), "'India is proud': PM Modi reaches out to Flydubai hero Smit Machchhar's wife and parents - The former SpiceJet training captain has around 9,750 flying hours and is being treated in Tabuk after the Dubai-Tel Aviv aircraft was forced to divert to Saudi Arabia.", The Statesman, retrieved 2 October 2026
  44. ↑ McGreevy, Robert (2 October 2026), "Hero FlyDubai pilot says he was 'fighting for my life' as plane plunged after copilot attack - Captain Smit Machchhar recalled saying, 'This is the last push Smit, do it, the door is right there'", Fox News, archived from the original on 2 October 2026, retrieved 2 October 2026
  45. ↑ Syme, Pete (2 October 2026), "'I couldn't let everyone else die': The Flydubai pilot stabbed by his coworker describes how he helped save Flight 1073", Business Insider, retrieved 2 October 2026
  46. ↑ Pandey, Vikas (2 October 2026), "'I was not going to let others die' - pilot of Flydubai flight describes cockpit attack by co-pilot", BBC News, retrieved 2 October 2026
  47. 1 2 K.B., Pragati (2 October 2026), "'I Couldn't Let All of Them Die': Pilot on FlyDubai Flight Recalls Sudden Attack - Capt. Smit Machchhar, who was stabbed by his co-pilot midair between Dubai and Tel Aviv, said he "had to act" to prevent a crash despite serious injuries.", The New York Times, retrieved 2 October 2026
  48. ↑ Christou, William (2 October 2026), "'I was fighting for my life': Indian pilot hailed as hero recalls flydubai cockpit attack - Smit Machchhar says in video call with Indian PM that he realised if he did not get up 'passengers would lose their lives'", The Guardian, retrieved 2 October 2026
  49. 1 2 Reals, Tucker (2 October 2026), "FlyDubai captain tells India's leader how he saved himself and 173 others while fighting for his own life", CBS News, archived from the original on 2 October 2026, retrieved 2 October 2026
  50. 1 2 Mogul, Rhea; Shah, Ayushi (2 October 2026), "'I couldn't let everybody else die,' says hero Flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar", CNN, archived from the original on 2 October 2026, retrieved 2 October 2026
  51. ↑ "Flydubai captain Smit Machchhar 'could not let people die' as he describes fight to open cockpit door - Smit Machchhar says he knew he had to get to the door if he wanted to save the 170-plus people on passenger jet.", Sky News, 2 October 2026, retrieved 2 October 2026
  52. ↑ "'Extraordinary courage': Pilot body writes to PMO, seeks national bravery award for Flydubai pilot Smit", The Statesman, 2 October 2026, retrieved 2 October 2026
  53. ↑ "Pilots' body seeks National Bravery Award for flydubai captain attacked by co-pilot mid-flight - Federation of Indian Pilots says Captain Smit Machchhar kept control despite injuries and safely diverted the Dubai-Tel Aviv flight to Saudi Arabia", The New Indian Express, 2 October 2026, retrieved 2 October 2026
  54. ↑ "Pilots' body urges PM Modi to give flydubai captain Smit Machchhar a bravery award for saving 182 lives - The pilots' body described Smit Machchhar's actions during the flydubai incident as an act of "extraordinary courage, and exemplary devotion to duty"", Hindustan Times, 2 October 2026, retrieved 2 October 2026
  55. 1 2 "Israel to honour Captain Smit Machchhar for his bravery after attack by co-pilot on flydubai flight, Israeli envoy says - Machchhar was flying the Tel Aviv-bound Flydubai aircraft when his co-pilot attacked and stabbed him inside the cockpit.", Moneycontrol.com, 1 October 2026, retrieved 2 October 2026
  56. 1 2 "'Israel Will Never Forget Captain Smit Machchhar': Ambassador Reuven Azar Says Pilot Will Be Honoured", News18, 2 October 2026, retrieved 2 October 2026
  57. 1 2 3 "Israel to Honor Indian Pilot Smit Machchhar for Averting Flydubai Disaster", The Indian Eye, 2 October 2026, retrieved 2 October 2026
  58. 1 2 3 4 "MP Vikramjit Sahney announces Rs 25 lakh bravery award for Captain Smit Machchhar", The News Mill, 3 October 2026, retrieved 3 October 2026
  59. 1 2 3 4 5 Babushahi Bureau (3 October 2026), "Breaking: MP Vikram Sahney announces Rs 25 lakh Bravery Award for Captain Smit Machchhar", Babushahi.com, retrieved 3 October 2026

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Smit_Machchhar&oldid=1378197376"