{
  "id": 11095793,
  "title": "'Captain Smit Machchhar Is A HERO': PM Narendra Modi Hails Indian Flydubai Pilot For His Courage In Averting Major Mid-Air Tragedy",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/captain-smit-machchhar-is-a-hero-pm-narendra-modi-hails-indian",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-01T02:21:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/captain-smit-machchhar-is-a-hero-pm-narendra-modi-hails-indian-flydubai-pilot-for-his-courage-in-averting-major-mid-air-tragedy"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lauded Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot of Flydubai flight FZ1073, for his bravery in averting a major in-flight crisis. The pilot, who was injured while attempting to save lives, was hailed as a hero by the Prime Minister. Despite being seriously hurt, Captain Machchhar continued to act, leading the aircraft to be diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia. The Indian government expressed pride in Captain Machchhar's actions, which helped avert a potential tragedy, saving hundreds of lives. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also praised the pilot, describing his bravery as extraordinary. Captain Machchhar reportedly fought back against an attacker, opened the cockpit door, and enabled passengers and crew to overpower the assailant, preventing a catastrophic mid-air incident.",
  "summary": "New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday hailed Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot of Flydubai flight FZ1073 , who was injured after helping avert a major in-flight crisis, calling him a \"hero\" who showed \"immense courage\" and \"unwavering resolve\" to save the lives of those on board. The pilot was attacked during a flight but continued to act to safeguard passengers and crew,…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Al-Monitor",
        "title": "Netanyahu and Modi hail Indian flydubai pilot as hero",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/netanyahu-and-modi-hail-indian-flydubai-pilot-as-hero",
        "published": "2026-09-30T23:46:29.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times",
        "title": "Cockpit stabbing, a 14,000 feet drop, 'blood everywhere': How Indian pilot Smit Machchhar saved 174 lives on flydubai plane",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/cockpit-stabbing-a-14-000-feet-drop-blood-everywhere-how-indian-pilot",
        "published": "2026-10-01T01:26:26.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "Vaibhav Sooryavanshi only Indian athlete named in TIME’s 100 Rising Stars list",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/vaibhav-sooryavanshi-only-indian-athlete-named-in-times-100-rising",
        "published": "2026-10-01T01:31:33.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Le Monde English",
        "title": "Indian PM hails 'hero' Flydubai pilot for averting disaster",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/indian-pm-hails-hero-flydubai-pilot-for-averting-disaster",
        "published": "2026-10-01T03:32:52.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}