Last Updated:
Flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar has been airlifted from Saudi Arabia to the UAE for further treatment.
Smit Machhar’s Friend Shefali Parekh Praises Pilot’s Courage.
Indian Flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar is recovering after sustaining injuries during a mid-air incident on a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight. His friends have recalled his personality and praised the decisions he took during the dramatic emergency.
Machchhar was seriously injured after his co-pilot allegedly attacked and stabbed him inside the cockpit of a Boeing 737 MAX flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv. His actions during the incident were credited with helping prevent a catastrophe involving more than 170 passengers.
‘He Has Always Been Strong-Headed’
Machchhar’s friend Shefali Parekh said he had always been a fun person and that they often joked about their profession whenever they met. “Smit has always been a very fun person, we met whenever he used to come here, we always cracked a lot of pilot jokes together,” Parekh said.
She also described him as someone who was strong-headed and praised the decision he took during the incident. “He has always been someone who is strong headed and taking that crucial decision in that moment is applaudable, it’s indeed bravery,” she said.
Parekh said their first reaction after learning about the incident was concern for Machchhar’s health. “When we first got to know about the incident, our first reaction was concern, we spoke to his mother as well about his health, and we really hope he is okay soon,” she said.
‘We Were All Shocked’
At A Glance
Indian Flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar was injured during a mid-air incident on a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight.
Machchhar was allegedly stabbed by his co-pilot inside the cockpit of a Boeing 737 MAX.
His actions prevented a catastrophe involving more than 170 passengers.
Machchhar has been airlifted from Saudi Arabia to the UAE for further treatment.
The Gujarat government will honor Machchhar with the ‘Vishisht Gujarat Garima Award’.
Prateek Gandhi, Machchhar’s childhood friend, also recalled his reaction after learning that the Indian pilot was involved in the incident. “I was born and brought up here… We were together from childhood until 2008… We were all shocked when the news came in and we realised it was Smit,” Gandhi said.
He said the group immediately became concerned and started trying to understand what had happened and what condition Machchhar was in.
“We immediately became concerned and started wondering what had happened and what his condition was. As of today, we’ve heard that he’s doing well and has undergone surgery,” Gandhi said.
Machchhar Shifted To UAE
Machchhar has been airlifted from Saudi Arabia to the UAE for further treatment. The Indian pilot had been receiving treatment at a military hospital in Saudi Arabia after the Flydubai flight incident. He has now been shifted to the UAE, where he will undergo further medical care.
Gujarat To Honour Captain’s Courage
The Gujarat government will honour Machchhar with the ‘Vishisht Gujarat Garima Award’ for his courage during the Flydubai emergency. The Somnath Temple has also conducted a special puja and Mahamrityunjaya Mantra jaap for the injured captain’s speedy recovery. As details of the incident emerged, Israelis shared tribute videos thanking Machchhar and urging others to remember his name. Machchhar joined Flydubai in 2022 after previously working with SpiceJet. According to his LinkedIn profile, he has around 9,750 flying hours on Boeing 737 aircraft.
His bravery during the mid-air emergency was credited with helping prevent a catastrophe involving more than 170 passengers.
Quick Answers
Ask News18The Gujarat government will honour Captain Smit Machchhar with the ‘Vishisht Gujarat Garima Award’ for his courage during the Flydubai emergency.
Ask News18About the Author
Shuddhanta Patra is an Indian journalist with about nine years of experience in covering national politics, geopolitics, defence, diplomacy and international affairs. Her reporting focuses on South As…Read More
Delhi, India, India
October 01, 2026, 3:59 PM IST
Read More
Source link
[ad_3]
