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Indian Captain Smit Machchhar Making Steady Progress After Cockpit Attack
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News18•06-10-2026, 20:45
Indian Captain Smit Machchhar Making Steady Progress After Cockpit Attack
- •Indian Captain Smit Machchhar is making steady progress and recovering his health following a brutal attack, according to the Indian Embassy in the UAE.
- •Machchhar was seriously injured by his co-pilot, an Omani citizen, using a crash axe on a flydubai flight from Dubai.
- •Despite his injuries, the captain managed to make a final push to open the cockpit door as the aircraft rapidly descended over 17,000 feet.
- •Two reserve pilots safely landed the flight at Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Airport in Saudi Arabia, where the attacker was taken into custody.
- •India’s ambassador to the UAE, Deepak Mittal, visited Machchhar in the hospital, and the embassy continues to provide support to his family.
Key Questions Answered
Indian Captain Smit Machchhar is making steady progress and is regaining his health, according to an update shared by the Indian Embassy in the UAE on Tuesday.
Captain Smit Machchhar was attacked inside the cockpit by his co-pilot, who is an Omani citizen, using an emergency crash axe.
Two reserve pilots safely landed the aircraft at Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Airport in Saudi Arabia's Tabuk city after the incident.
