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FIP Urges Bravery Award for Flydubai Pilot Smit Machchhar After Foiling Crash Attempt
M
Moneycontrol•02-10-2026, 21:50
FIP Urges Bravery Award for Flydubai Pilot Smit Machchhar After Foiling Crash Attempt
- •The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has requested the Indian government to confer a bravery award on Flydubai pilot-in-command Smit Machchhar.
- •Captain Machchhar allegedly foiled an attempt by his co-pilot to crash an Israel-bound flight, despite being stabbed and seriously injured.
- •The incident occurred on Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv, carrying 174 passengers and eight crew members.
- •Despite extreme personal danger, Captain Machchhar maintained control, exercised command, and safely diverted the aircraft to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
- •FIP highlighted Captain Machchhar's extraordinary courage, exceptional leadership, and exemplary devotion to duty during the in-flight emergency on September 30, 2026.
Key Questions Answered
The Federation of Indian Pilots has requested a bravery award for Captain Smit Machchhar because he successfully foiled an attempt by his co-pilot to allegedly crash an Israel-bound flight. Despite being seriously injured and stabbed in the cockpit, he maintained control and safely diverted the aircraft.
The incident occurred on Flydubai flight FZ1073 travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday, carrying 174 passengers including 27 children, along with eight crew members. Following the severe in-flight emergency, the aircraft was safely diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
The grave and unprecedented in-flight emergency took place on 30 September 2026, when the pilot-in-command was stabbed and seriously injured by his co-pilot.
