Trump, Modi Praise Indian Pilot Smit Machchhar After Flydubai Cockpit Attack
Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar has been hailed as a hero by US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi after a dramatic cockpit incident on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv left the aircraft in a steep descent and forced an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said he had discussed the incident with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and praised Machchhar for his actions after an alleged knife attack by the co-pilot. Trump described the Indian pilot as a “hero”, saying he managed to respond despite being seriously injured.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also praised Machchhar, saying India was proud of the pilot for showing immense courage during the mid-air emergency.
The incident took place on Flydubai flight FZ1073, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv with more than 170 passengers onboard. According to reports, the co-pilot allegedly attacked Machchhar with a knife and attempted to take control of the aircraft. Machchhar was injured but managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and others to intervene and overpower the co-pilot.
The Boeing 737 was cruising at around 34,000 feet when it suddenly began descending at an extraordinary rate. Flight-tracking data indicated that the aircraft lost around 14,300 feet in approximately 37 seconds, before eventually stabilising and diverting to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.
Machchhar, an Indian national and former SpiceJet commander, has been flying with Flydubai since 2022. He and the co-pilot were taken to hospital following the incident. The exact circumstances and motive behind the cockpit confrontation remain under investigation.
The incident could have resulted in a major aviation disaster, but the actions of Machchhar, passengers and other crew members helped bring the aircraft under control. Trump, Modi and Netanyahu have since publicly recognised the Indian pilot’s courage.
