{
  "id": 11640400,
  "title": "Injured flydubai FZ1073 pilot Capt. Smit Machchhar 'recovering well': Indian Embassy in UAE",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/injured-flydubai-fz1073-pilot-capt-smit-machchhar-recovering-well",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-03T07:43:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/uae/injured-flydubai-fz1073-pilot-capt-smit-machchhar-recovering-well-indian-embassy-in-uae-1.500696895"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi has reported that Captain Smit Machchhar, a Dubai-based Indian pilot for flydubai, is recovering well from injuries sustained during a violent incident on his flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The embassy shared an update on X stating that they are in contact with Machchhar's family and local authorities, and expressed gratitude to the UAE government for the pilot's care.\n\nMachchhar, who was in command of the Boeing 737 MAX 8, was stabbed by the co-pilot, causing the flight to divert to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Upon arrival, Indian Ambassador to the UAE Dr. Deepak Mittal visited Machchhar and his family at the hospital on Thursday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the pilot a hero, crediting his courage for saving hundreds of lives and averting a tragedy.\n\nThe General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) of the UAE also praised Machchhar's bravery and quick response, along with that of the crew and passengers involved. They emphasized that the investigation's findings will be announced through official channels after completion and requested the public not to speculate on the results.",
  "summary": "Dubai/ Abu Dhabi: The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi says Captain Smit Machchhar is getting excellent medical care and recovering well. In a health update posted on X on Saturday, the embassy said it is in touch with his family and local authorities, and it thanked the UAE government for his care. Machchhar, a Dubai-based Indian pilot with flydubai, was injured in a violent confrontation on the…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Egypt Independent",
        "title": "‘I couldn’t let everybody else die,’ says hero Flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/i-couldnt-let-everybody-else-die-says-hero-flydubai-pilot-smit",
        "published": "2026-10-03T07:27:52.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}