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SpiceJet's Ajay Singh Hails Pilot Smit Machchhar for Midair Heroism
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Moneycontrol•01-10-2026, 16:37
SpiceJet's Ajay Singh Hails Pilot Smit Machchhar for Midair Heroism
- •SpiceJet Chairman Ajay Singh praised Captain Smit Machchhar for his exceptional courage during a cockpit incident on flydubai Flight FZ1073.
- •Machchhar, a former SpiceJet pilot, was attacked by his co-pilot mid-flight but managed to open the cockpit door despite serious injuries.
- •Singh highlighted the immense bravery required to open the cockpit door from the co-pilot's side after being stabbed.
- •He emphasized Machchhar's fulfillment of a pilot's fundamental responsibility to protect passengers, saving over 180 lives.
- •Singh described the incident as a rare and extremely dangerous situation, akin to the 9/11 attacks in its severity within the cockpit.
Key Questions Answered
SpiceJet Chairman and Managing Director Ajay Singh stated that he was incredibly proud of Captain Smit Machchhar, praising him for displaying exceptional courage and fulfilling his fundamental responsibility to protect the passengers on board during a midair cockpit attack.
Despite sustaining serious stab wounds from his co-pilot, Captain Machchhar managed to reach across to the co-pilot's side where the door handle is located and unlock the cockpit door, allowing passengers to enter and overpower the attacker.
There were over 180 people on board the Dubai-Tel Aviv flight whose lives were saved by Captain Machchhar's courageous actions despite being severely injured by his co-pilot.
