Federation of Indian Pilots seeks national bravery award for Flydubai pilot Smit
By Anjali Sharma
WASHINGTON – The Federation of Indian Pilots on Friday requested the Prime Minister’s Office to consider Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot of Flydubai Flight FZ1073, for an appropriate national bravery award for his conduct during the mid-air emergency in which 182 people were on board.
The FIP stated that Machchhar’s actions should be considered for national recognition after verification by the competent authorities described the incident as an “extraordinarily dangerous situation” in the flight deck.
FIP President Captain CS Randhawa noted that Machchhar demonstrated exceptional courage and professional conduct after being seriously injured during an altercation with the first officer pilot while the Dubai-Tel Aviv flight was in the air on September 30, media reported.
It highlighted how the Captain continued to perform his responsibilities as Pilot-in-Command despite the threat and his injuries, adding that the aircraft was subsequently diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, where it made an emergency landing.
FIP described the incident as an “extraordinarily dangerous situation” in the flight deck, stated that Machchhar’s actions should be considered for national recognition after verification by the competent authorities.
“Captain Smit’s actions under circumstances of extreme personal danger contributed to bringing the aircraft safely to an alternate airport,” it added.
The FIP representation also noted that Machchhar was reportedly attacked by the first officer pilot with a crash axe and sustained serious injuries.
Media reported that the aircraft, carrying 174 passengers and eight crew members, experienced a sharp descent during the incident before the situation was brought under control.
Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, which allowed passengers and crew to intervene, after which the flight was diverted and landed safely in Tabuk. Later on, he was shifted to Abu Dhabi for continued medical treatment.
The FIP asserted that the significance of Machchhar’s conduct lay in the responsibility placed on the flight crew while the passengers and other crew members had no control over events unfolding in the cockpit.
“The ability to remain sufficiently composed, exercise command and make critical decisions while injured and under threat demonstrates extraordinary courage, resilience, situational awareness, leadership and devotion to duty,” it added.
It stated that Machchhar had been a member of FIP until 2022 and that, although he was no longer a member, it continued to regard him as part of the wider professional pilots’ fraternity.
In its representation, FIP requested the PMO to examine the circumstances of the incident, obtain relevant operational and medical records and consider Machchhar for “the highest appropriate form of recognition” under applicable government provisions.
Prime Minister Modi publicly praised Machchhar’s courage, stating that the pilot’s valour had helped save hundreds of lives and avert a major tragedy.
Machchhar also spoke to PM Modi from his hospital bed and described how, despite being injured and on the cockpit floor, he realised the aircraft was descending and managed to open the cockpit door so others could enter.
