Indian Pilot Injured in Flydubai Attack Recovering in Dubai Hospital, Says Ambassador

Abu Dhabi — Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, who was seriously injured while preventing an attack aboard a Flydubai flight, is recovering at a hospital in Dubai and remains in good spirits, India’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Deepak Mittal, said.

Mittal visited Machchhar and his family at the hospital and expressed relief over the pilot’s condition.

“He was speaking openly, smiling and laughing, which was a great relief for us and, above all, for his family,” Mittal said.

The ambassador said Machchhar was receiving good medical care and that the Indian Embassy remained in constant contact with UAE authorities. The pilot was airlifted from Saudi Arabia to Dubai by Flydubai following the incident.

Machchhar, the pilot of Flydubai flight FZ1073, was reportedly stabbed by another pilot during the flight, causing the aircraft to lose altitude. Despite his injuries, Machchhar fought the attacker and opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers to enter and overpower the assailant.

After the attacker was subdued, passengers helped stabilize the wounded pilot until the aircraft made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.

Mittal praised Machchhar’s actions, saying his courage had prevented a major tragedy.

“Captain Smit has demonstrated great bravery and courage in an exemplary manner to save so many precious lives and avert a great tragedy. So we are very proud of the brave son of India, and we are going to extend full cooperation and support,” he said.

Mittal and India’s Consul General in Dubai, E. Vishnu Vardhan Reddy, also met Machchhar’s family and assured them of the Indian government’s assistance.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs confirmed the meeting, saying the ambassador had conveyed the government’s full support for the pilot’s welfare and recovery.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke with Machchhar’s wife and parents, praising the pilot’s bravery in saving hundreds of lives, according to people familiar with the conversation.

Modi assured the family that Indian diplomatic missions were providing all possible assistance during Machchhar’s recovery. (Source: IANS)