Indian Pilots’ Federation Seeks National Bravery Award for Flydubai Pilot Smit Machchhar
New Delhi – The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has urged the Prime Minister’s Office to consider Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian pilot who reportedly helped save 182 people aboard a Flydubai flight following a violent cockpit incident, for a national bravery award.
In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, FIP President Captain C.S. Randhawa praised Machchhar for demonstrating exceptional courage and professionalism despite sustaining serious injuries during an alleged attack by the flight’s first officer on September 30.
According to the federation, Machchhar was reportedly attacked with a crash axe while piloting Flydubai Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The aircraft, carrying 174 passengers and eight crew members, experienced a sharp descent during the incident.
Despite his injuries, Machchhar reportedly managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to intervene. The aircraft was subsequently diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it made an emergency landing.
Machchhar was later transferred to Abu Dhabi for further medical treatment.
“Captain Smit’s actions under circumstances of extreme personal danger contributed to bringing the aircraft safely to an alternate airport,” the federation said in its representation.
FIP said Machchhar’s ability to exercise command and make critical decisions while injured demonstrated extraordinary courage, resilience and devotion to duty.
The federation requested that the Prime Minister’s Office examine the incident, obtain relevant operational and medical records and consider the pilot for an appropriate national bravery award after verification by the relevant authorities.
FIP also noted that Machchhar had been a member of the organization until 2022 and remained part of the wider professional pilots’ community.
The appeal followed public praise from Modi, who credited Machchhar’s courage with helping avert a major aviation disaster.
Speaking with the prime minister from his hospital bed on Friday, Machchhar described how he realized the aircraft was descending while he was injured and lying on the cockpit floor.
He said he managed to open the cockpit door to allow others to enter, recognizing that the passengers’ lives were at risk despite his own injuries.
The incident remains under investigation. The United Arab Emirates’ General Civil Aviation Authority said it is working with relevant authorities to examine the circumstances, including operational and security aspects, and cautioned against circulating unverified information before the investigation is completed.
FIP also sent copies of its representation to Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. (Source: IANS)
