Pawan Kalyan, Jagan hail Indian pilot Smit Machchhar for saving 174 lives on flydubai flight
The Deputy Chief Minister calls the injured captain a ‘true hero’; the YSRCP president calls him the ‘pride of India’ and wishes him a speedy recovery
Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan and YSRCP president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy have commended Captain Smit Machchhar for his bravery during a mid-air incident on flydubai flight FZ1073 on September 30, 2026. The captain, injured in a cockpit confrontation with his co-pilot who attempted to crash the Dubai-Tel Aviv flight, managed to open the cockpit door and allow the crew and passengers to subdue the attacker.
Despite sustaining serious injuries, Captain Machchhar's actions prevented a potential catastrophe, saving the lives of 174 people on board. The leaders described the captain as a "true hero" and a "proud son of Bharat," praising his courage and commitment to passenger safety.
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