Pilots' federation petitions Modi for national bravery honor for flydubai captain

The Federation of Indian Pilots wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 2, seeking a national bravery award for Captain Smit Machchhar, who was seriously injured during a cockpit assault on flydubai flight FZ1073. The incident occurred on September 30 when the co-pilot allegedly struck Machchhar with a crash axe, yet the captain continued to command the aircraft, guiding it to a safe diversion and landing at Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Airport in Tabuk after a rapid descent of about 14,300 feet.

Two other flydubai pilots traveling as passengers helped regain control after Machchhar opened the cockpit door. The federation highlighted his composure, leadership, and dedication under extreme threat and asked for recognition after factual verification. Machchhar, a Mumbai native with over 13 years of commercial flying experience, is recovering in Abu Dhabi after being transferred from a hospital in Tabuk.