Bharat is proud: Sehwag, Yuvraj salute Indian pilot after daring save by flydubai
Indian athletes have rallied behind Flydubai pilot Captain Smit Machchhar after the Indian national played a key role in preventing the possible hijacking of Flight FZ1073.
Machchhar was piloting a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight when an alleged confrontation with his co-pilot in the cockpit sent the plane into emergency mode. The Indian pilot was stabbed several times during the struggle, but despite being seriously injured managed to open the cockpit door, allowing the passengers and crew to intervene and overpower the other pilot.
As details of the dramatic incident emerged in India on Thursday, October 1, several prominent Indian sportspersons took to social media to congratulate Machchhar, who is currently recovering in a hospital in Saudi Arabia. Former Indian cricketers Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh were among those who praised the pilot’s courage and wished him a speedy recovery.
Describing Machchhar’s actions as extraordinary, Sehwag highlighted how the injured pilot managed to unlock the cockpit door and allow passengers and crew to intervene.
“Captain Smit Machchhar, the captain of flydubai Flight 1073, fought back after being stabbed in the cockpit. Despite being seriously injured, he managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to intervene and save all passengers,” Sehwag wrote.
“His extraordinary bravery saved 174 lives. In the face of gravest danger and despite being seriously injured, he showed immense courage and unwavering determination to protect the lives of others. Bharat is proud of Captain Smit Machchhar. Praying for his speedy recovery and good health.”
Yuvraj also paid tribute to Machchhar and focused on his decision to continue fighting despite injuries.
“Some moments show you what a man is really made of. Captain Smit Machchhar showed extraordinary courage in the face of grave danger and put the lives of others before his own despite being seriously injured,” Yuvraj wrote.
“Such courage deserves the deepest respect. I wish him strength, a speedy recovery and good health.” Courtesy: X
WHO IS SMIT MACHCHHAR?
Captain Smit Machchhar is an Indian pilot who was flying Flydubai flight FZ1073 from the United Arab Emirates to Tel Aviv when the incident took place on Wednesday.
About two hours into the flight, the plane sent emergency code 7700, signaling a general emergency. It was followed by the code 7500, which indicates possible kidnapping or illegal interference.
The emergency began in the cockpit, where Machchhar was attacked and stabbed several times by his co-pilot, an Omani national. Israeli officials said the co-pilot was trying to take control of the plane and crash it.
Despite severe injuries and loss of a large amount of blood, Machchhar managed to send distress signals and then open the cockpit door from the inside. His decision allowed passengers and crew members to enter the cockpit and overpower the co-pilot, who was allegedly interfering with the aircraft.
Among those who rushed to the cockpit was dentist Dr Shota Musaev, who treated Machchhar as he lay seriously injured on the floor.
Two off-duty Flydubai pilots traveling as passengers subsequently took control of the aircraft. The plane was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it made an emergency landing.
Machchhar was taken to a hospital in Tabuk and underwent surgery. He was later reported to be in a stable condition while the passengers and remaining crew were brought to safety.
The circumstances of the collision between the two pilots remain under investigation. Flydubai said the reasons for the incident were not yet known and cautioned against premature speculation.
The incident has since drawn praise outside the sporting world, with US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also praising Machchhar for his actions during the state of emergency.
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