Bhubaneswar, Oct. 1 (UDN): Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has praised Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his courage and quick action during a serious mid-air incident involving Flydubai flight FZ1073.
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The Dubai-Tel Aviv flight was diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia after a violent confrontation in the cockpit left Captain Machchhar injured. Reports said the aircraft experienced a sharp loss of altitude before passengers, crew members and other pilots onboard helped regain control of the situation. The exact circumstances and motive behind the incident remain under investigation.
Majhi Applauds Captain’s Courage
In a post on X, Chief Minister Majhi commended Captain Machchhar for putting the safety of passengers and crew ahead of his own despite sustaining serious injuries.
“Captain Smit Machchhar’s extraordinary courage and devotion to duty are deeply inspiring,” Majhi said, adding that the pilot’s actions reflected the spirit of “Seva Paramo Dharma.”
The Chief Minister also expressed his prayers for Machchhar and his family, seeking Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannath’s blessings for his strength, healing and complete recovery.
Pilot Injured, Flight Diverted to Saudi Arabia
According to reports, Captain Machchhar was attacked inside the cockpit during the flight. Despite being injured, he was able to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to intervene. Two off-duty Flydubai pilots who were travelling as passengers subsequently assisted in stabilising the aircraft before it made an emergency landing at Tabuk.
The flight was carrying 174 passengers, according to multiple reports. Captain Machchhar was taken to a hospital in Tabuk for treatment following the incident.
The incident has drawn widespread attention, with Indian and international leaders praising the pilot’s actions while authorities continue to investigate what happened inside the cockpit.