Captain Smit Machchhar Recovering Well After Flydubai Cockpit Attack, Says Indian Envoy

Indian Ambassador to the UAE Deepak Mittal on Thursday met Flydubai pilot Captain Smit Machchhar and his family at a hospital in Dubai and said the Indian-origin pilot was recovering well and remained in good spirits after being injured in a cockpit altercation aboard flight FZ1073.

“He was speaking openly, smiling and laughing, which was a great relief for us and, above all, for his family,” Mittal said after meeting Machchhar.

The Ambassador said Machchhar was receiving good medical treatment and that the Indian Embassy remained in close contact with the UAE authorities.

Machchhar was earlier airlifted from Saudi Arabia to Dubai after the Flydubai flight, operating from Dubai to Tel Aviv, made an emergency landing at Tabuk following an altercation in the cockpit.

Mittal praised the pilot’s actions during the incident, saying Machchhar had demonstrated “great bravery and courage” and helped avert a major tragedy.

“Captain Smit has demonstrated great bravery and courage in an exemplary manner to save so many precious lives and avert a great tragedy. So we are very proud of the brave son of India, and we are going to extend full cooperation and support,” he said.

Earlier, Mittal and India’s Consul General in Dubai E. Vishnu Vardhan Reddy met Machchhar’s family and conveyed the Indian government’s support and assistance.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in a post on X, said the Ambassador had met the pilot’s family in Dubai and conveyed the government’s full support for his welfare and well-being.

According to the Consulate General of India in Dubai, the officials also briefed the family about Machchhar’s health and recovery and conveyed appreciation for his courage, presence of mind and efforts to save lives.

The incident occurred on Wednesday when another pilot allegedly stabbed Machchhar, following which the aircraft began to lose altitude. Machchhar reportedly fought back and opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers to enter and help overpower the attacker.

The injured Indian pilot was stabilised after the attacker was subdued, and the aircraft subsequently made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke with Machchhar’s wife and parents and praised his bravery, according to people familiar with the matter.

“PM Modi has spoken to the wife and parents of Captain Smit Machchhar. PM applauded the bravery of Captain Smit, who saved hundreds of lives,” sources said.

The Prime Minister also stressed that Indian missions were providing all possible assistance to the pilot.