Pilot body writes to PMO seeking national bravery award for Flydubai pilot Smit

THE Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has urged 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 reportedly 182 people were on board.

In a representation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, FIP President Captain C.S. Randhawa said 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.

The federation said the Captain continued to perform his responsibilities as Pilot-in-Command despite the threat and his injuries, and 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 and said 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,” the representation said.

The FIP representation said Machchhar was reportedly attacked by the first officer pilot with a crash axe and sustained serious injuries.

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, allowing passengers and crew to intervene, after which the flight was diverted and landed safely in Tabuk.

He was subsequently shifted to Abu Dhabi for continued medical treatment.

The FIP said 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.

The federation also said 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.

FIP has 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.

The request comes after PM Modi publicly praised Machchhar’s courage.

The Prime Minister said 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 on Friday, describing 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.

He said he was “fighting for my life” but knew that passengers could lose their lives if he did not act.

The incident remains under investigation by authorities.

The United Arab Emirates’ General Civil Aviation Authority has said its teams, in coordination with relevant authorities, are examining the causes and circumstances, including operational and security aspects, and has cautioned against circulating unofficial information before the findings are established.

FIP has copied its representation to the Secretary of Civil Aviation Samir Kumar Sinha and the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

During the conversation, PM Modi said the country could proudly say that Indians are not those who take lives, but those who are willing to risk their own lives to save others.
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PM Modi began the conversation by asking about Captain Machchhar’s health and said the entire country was praying for his speedy recovery.

“The whole country is praying for you. Maha Mrityunjaya Jaap is being performed for you and your health. Your courage, presence of mind and composure saved many lives. The country can proudly say that Indians are not those who take lives, but those who are willing to risk their lives to save others,” PM Modi said.

Captain Machchhar nodded and responded, “Yes, sir.” PM Modi continued, saying that although the Captain was fighting for his own life at the time, he did not think about himself and instead remained concerned about the lives of others.

“You were fighting for your life, but at that time, you didn’t care about your life; you cared for the lives of all the people,” PM Modi said.

He also expressed gratitude to Captain Machchhar and praised the values instilled in him by his mother, Geeta Ben. “I had said to Geeta Ben that you have the values of the Gita and have shaped your son’s life,” PM Modi said.

Captain Machchhar then shared his experience during the incident, saying he had been in aviation for 17 years and had 11 years of experience as a Captain. “You are my biggest ideal, sir. You called me, and I am feeling very proud. At that moment, I was fighting for my own life, but there was one moment when I realised that if I did not do anything right now, people could lose their lives. I have 11 years of experience as a captain and 17 years in aviation, so I understood what was happening on the flight,” Captain Machchhar said.

He recalled the moment when he realised that the aircraft was going down and said he made a final effort to open the door. “When I fell, I realised that the flight was going down. I realised that I had to open the door one last time, and I opened the door. All the other people entered. So, I would say there was an equal role played by the other people too in this,” Captain Machchhar said. 

“I was fighting for my life, but I knew that I would not let the other people die. After that moment, I received the care and medical attention that I am getting now,” he added.

Captain Machchhar also spoke about his faith, saying he recites the Hanuman Chalisa whenever he needs positivity or is in pain. “When I need positivity and feel pain, I read the Hanuman Chalisa. At that moment, too, when you called me, I felt proud,” Captain Machchhar said.

During the conversation, Captain Machchhar became emotional, and tears flowed. PM Modi consoled him and tried to make him comfortable. “Why are you crying? The whole country wants to talk to you. And when you spoke about the Hanuman Chalisa, I would like to thank Geeta Ben for giving you such values,” PM Modi said.

Captain Machchhar further shared how he keeps his two-year-old son beside him while reciting the Hanuman Chalisa. “When I do puja, I keep my two-year-old son on my lap and then recite the Hanuman Chalisa. Because I am away from the country, but it is not good to be away from our culture,” he said.

PM Modi agreed with him and said, “Yes, you are saying it right.” The Prime Minister also spoke about the prayers, pujas and aartis being conducted across the country for Captain Machchhar’s safety and long life.

“The whole country is here to welcome you with great excitement,” PM Modi said, referring to Captain Machchhar as a “Veer Purush”.

Captain Machchhar, however, said he did not consider what he had done merely as a duty. “I am not considering all of this as my work, but as a journey,” he said, adding, “I am confident that I will recover soon.”

PM Modi also expressed gratitude to the UAE and the Abu Dhabi government for their support.

“Smit, whenever you need me, I am just a phone call away. Truly, if such things had not been done, how would the pilots of the country have felt? You have done a great job,” PM Modi said.

“Had this not happened, who knows what India would have had to face, what all Indian pilots would have had to endure, and how Indian pilots would have been viewed. You have saved everyone. You have done a very big thing. The Prime Minister wished Captain Smit a speedy recovery and congratulated him for his courage.

“I want to congratulate you, and today is Gandhi Jayanti. I want to say that what ‘ahimsa’ is, you have proved it,” PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister also spoke with Captain Machchhar in Gujarati during the interaction.