From textile engineering to cockpit hero: Indian pilot wins praise after flydubai drama
For Indian pilot Smit Machchhar, aviation was never part of his childhood dreams.
Indian pilot Smit Machchhar, once a textile engineer, has become a hero after averting a potential crash of a flydubai flight. Born in Mumbai, Machchhar's passion for aviation emerged at the age of 19, after a seminar sparked his interest. His mother was initially apprehensive about his career choice, but Machchhar pursued his dreams, eventually joining SpiceJet before moving to flydubai in 2022.
On Sep 30, a co-pilot attempted to crash the plane carrying 174 people, but Machchhar's quick thinking and bravery saved lives. He activated the cockpit door release, allowing passengers and crew to overpower the co-pilot. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Machchhar as a true hero.
Despite his injuries, Machchhar is recovering in a hospital in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. He values separating his personal life from his professional identity, stating he doesn't discuss aviation once he's out of the cockpit.
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- Gujarat Announces State Award For flydubai's Indian Hero Pilot ndtv.com
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- Smit Machchhar: Who is the Indian flydubai pilot hailed a ‘hero’ thehindu.com
- Indian pilot hailed as ‘hero’ after cockpit struggle japantimes.co.jp
- Indian pilot hailed as 'hero' after cockpit struggle al-monitor.com
- Plunged 14,000 feet in 29 secs: How stabbed Indian pilot averted flydubai crash indianexpress.com
