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Israel Hails Indian Pilot Smit Machchhar as Hero After Preventing Flydubai Incident
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Firstpost•02-10-2026, 23:28
Israel Hails Indian Pilot Smit Machchhar as Hero After Preventing Flydubai Incident
- •The Consulate General of Israel in Mumbai honored flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar with a billboard for preventing an alleged attempt by his co-pilot to crash an Israel-bound flight.
- •Israel's Consul General Yaniv Revach and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Machchhar's bravery, stating he saved hundreds of lives despite being seriously injured.
- •Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu also lauded Machchhar, calling him a hero who brought glory to India and prevented a major tragedy.
- •The flydubai flight FZ1073, en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv, transmitted emergency signals and made a sharp descent before diverting to Prince Sultan Bin Abdel Aziz Airport in Saudi Arabia.
- •Machchhar, with over 13 years of commercial flying experience, is recovering in Saudi Arabia, with his parents reportedly by his side.
Key Questions Answered
The Consulate General of Israel in Mumbai honored Captain Smit Machchhar with a billboard to thank him for preventing an alleged attempt by his co-pilot to crash an Israel-bound flight.
The Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight transmitted emergency signals, made a sharp descent of over 17,000 feet, and diverted to Saudi Arabia after Captain Machchhar intervened despite being seriously injured.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Machchhar's immense courage and spoke with his family, while President Droupadi Murmu saluted his heroic presence of mind in preventing a major tragedy.
