Captain Smit Machchhar Health Update: Injured Flydubai Pilot Making Steady Progress, Says Indian Embassy
The Indian Embassy in the UAE said that Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar is making steady progress. 'Capt Smit continues to make steady progress and is regaining his health,' the post read. Machchhar previously recounted his harrowing mid-air struggle against an attacking co-pilot on a Flydubai flight FZ1073, successfully saving 174 lives.
Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, who sustained serious injuries while fighting off an attacking co-pilot inside a Flydubai flight FZ1073's cockpit to save 174 lives, is continuing to make steady progress and regaining his health. The update was shared by the Indian Embassy in the UAE, which noted that it remains in close contact with his family, medical professionals, and local authorities to ensure full assistance.
Health Update: Capt Smit continues to make steady progress and is regaining his health. The Embassy remains in close touch with his family, doctors and local authorities, extending all possible assistance. We thank everyone for their prayers and wish him a speedy recovery,” the Embassy stated on X (formerly Twitter). FlyDubai Incident: ‘Airlift’ Director Raja Krishna Menon Hails Capt Smit Machchhar for Heroic Bravery and Presence of Mind.
Indian Pilot Captain Smit Machchhar Making Steady Progress
A Normal Flight Turned Terrifying Ordeal
Recounting the sequence of events, Captain Machchhar explained that the journey began as a routine flight. Thinking nothing unusual of it, he looked toward the front of the cockpit out of respect while his co-pilot engaged in prayer - a common practice among regional flight crew and passengers. "While he was praying, out of respect, I was looking at the front and not at the back, and suddenly, after about four to five minutes, there was a big blow to the back of my head," Machchhar recounted. Initially suspecting a catastrophic structural failure of the aircraft, he quickly realized the danger was internal as the heavy blows continued.
Blindsided by the Assault and Desperate Struggle
Severely impaired by the initial strikes and with his vision heavily blurred, Machchhar attempted to fend off the attacker as the aircraft entered a sharp, dangerous descent. "I did try and stop him, but because of his initial blows, my vision was almost like nothing, and I was completely blurred out," he said. "And at that point, the next feeling I had was that the aircraft was sharply going down... My memory is still in bits and pieces right now, but this is what I remember out of that time," he added. During the struggle, Machchhar managed to briefly open the cockpit door before it was apparently pulled shut again, leaving him collapsed on the cockpit floor amidst a whooshing sound and screaming passengers. ‘One Last Fight Left in Me’: Flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar Recounts Co-Pilot Attack to Benjamin Netanyahu.
One Last Fight to Save 174 Lives
Knowing that failure meant certain death for everyone on board, Machchhar gathered his remaining strength for a final effort. "And as I was telling the Ambassador here, I had that one last fight left in me... Call it personal or call it for people, I did it because if I didn't do it, I was going to die, and that's when I pushed against everything... I gave everything that I had and went for the door and opened the door," captain Smit added. His courageous action enabled passengers and crew waiting outside to rush in, subdue the attacker, and stabilize the aircraft.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 06, 2026 10:34 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).