PM Modi praises Indian pilot who foiled co-pilot’s bid to crash flydubai flight

Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for fighting off a co-pilot who allegedly attempted to crash a flydubai aircraft travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. In a post on X, PM Modi said, "Captain Smit Machchhar is a HERO. 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." Captain Smit Machchhar is a HERO.

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 valour helped save hundreds of lives and avert a great tragedy. India is proud of… — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 1, 2026 "His valour helped save hundreds of lives and avert a great tragedy.

India is proud of Captain Machchhar. Praying for his speedy recovery, renewed strength and good health," he added. Also Read | Flydubai FZ1073 co-pilot ‘stabbed captain, tried to crash plane’: Netanyahu Captain Machchhar is 'stable' India's Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General of India in Jeddah on Wednesday said that they are closely monitoring the health condition of Captain Machchhar, and that he was in stable condition, receiving treatment at a hospital in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

"Our Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah have been following the health condition of Mr Smit Machchhar, the brave Indian pilot of Flydubai flight that was diverted to Tabuk today. He is admitted in a hospital in Tabuk city in northwest Saudi Arabia and receiving necessary medical attention," the embanssy said in a post on X.

The MEA said it remains in touch with his family and Saudi authorities and will provide all possible assistance for his recovery. "A full update on his health is awaited but he is reported to be in stable condition. We hope that he recovers from his injuries at the earliest. We are in touch with his family and assure them that we will continue to follow up on his health with Saudi authorities and extend all possible assistance for his wellbeing," the post added.

Our Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah have been following the health condition of Mr Smit Machchhar, the brave Indian pilot of Flydubai flight that was diverted to Tabuk today. He is admitted in a hospital in Tabuk city in northwest Saudi Arabia and receiving necessary… — India in Saudi Arabia (@IndianEmbRiyadh) September 30, 2026 Captain Machchhar fought off his co-pilot, identified as an Omani national, who allegedly tried to crash the plane which had several Israeli nationals on board.

He was taken to a hospital in Saudi Arabia after the aircraft landed and his co-pilot was arrested. While details about the altercation and sequence of events remained sketchy, some Israeli news outlets reported that the pilot fought back the co-pilot to prevent the aircraft from crashing, with the crew and some passengers then helping in subduing the co-pilot. “The aircraft was successfully secured by on-duty flydubai crew travelling on the flight, who diverted and landed the aircraft safely at Tabuk Airport (TUU).

All passengers and crew are safe and accounted for,” a Flydubai spokesperson said. “At this early stage, the underlying reasons and motives behind this event are unknown and remain subject to a formal investigation. We urge all parties to refrain from premature speculation while authorities gather the facts,” the airline spokesperson added.

The Boeing 737 jet, with 174 passengers on board, sounded emergency alerts before landing at the Tabuk airport. Also Read | Flydubai Dubai-Tel Aviv passengers recall horror, post videos: ‘There was a hijacking, we have subdued the terrorists’ Who is FlyDubai pilot Smit Machchhar Machchhar joined Flydubai in June 2022 as a captain, after serving with SpiceJet for 11 years, according to his LinkedIn profile.

He started his flying career with SpiceJet in June 2011, and was a senior commander and line training captain with the Indian airline in Mumbai before moving to Flydubai, an Emirati government-owned airline. With Flydubai, he is based out of Dubai. Machchhar’s LinkedIn profile lists his flying experience at 9,750 hours. “Airline Captain with over 13 years of commercial flying experience on the Boeing 737 fleet, including extensive time as a Line Training Captain.

Skilled in mentoring and assessing pilots, with a strong focus on safety, compliance, and operational excellence. Currently a Direct Entry Captain at Flydubai, seeking to contribute further to the training team,” his profile reads.