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Bihar CM Hails Indian Pilot Smit Machchhar for Thwarting Flydubai Crash Attempt
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News18•01-10-2026, 12:15
Bihar CM Hails Indian Pilot Smit Machchhar for Thwarting Flydubai Crash Attempt
- •Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary lauded Indian pilot Smit Machchhar for preventing an alleged co-pilot attempt to crash a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
- •Choudhary praised Captain Machchhar's dedication, courage, and presence of mind, stating he made the entire country proud by saving 174 lives despite being seriously injured.
- •The flydubai flight FZ1073 transmitted emergency signals, made a sharp descent of over 17,000 feet, and diverted to Prince Sultan Bin Abdel Aziz Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
- •Videos circulated on social media showed the pilot, Smit Machchhar, drenched in blood and wearing an oxygen mask in the aircraft's galley.
- •Machchhar is admitted to a hospital in Tabuk city, Saudi Arabia, receiving medical attention, and is reported to be in stable condition, according to the Indian Embassy.
Key Questions Answered
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary praised Captain Smit Machchhar for his extraordinary bravery, composure, and presence of mind in preventing an alleged attempt by his co-pilot to crash a flydubai flight and saving the lives of 174 passengers.
Flydubai flight FZ1073, traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, transmitted emergency signals and made a sharp descent of over 17,000 feet before safely diverting to Prince Sultan Bin Abdel Aziz Airport in Saudi Arabia's Tabuk city.
Pilot Smit Machchhar is currently admitted to a hospital in Tabuk city, Saudi Arabia, receiving necessary medical attention, and is reported to be in a stable condition.
