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“Remember his name: Smit Machchhar.” This message spread across Israeli social media after a dramatic incident aboard a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, with Israelis praising the Indian captain for his actions during an attack inside the cockpit.
Captain Smit Machchhar was seriously injured after his co-pilot allegedly attacked and stabbed him inside the cockpit of the Boeing 737 MAX. Israeli authorities said the pilot's actions helped prevent what could have been a major disaster involving more than 170 passengers.
Israelis Praise Indian Pilot
As details of the incident emerged, social media users in Israel began sharing videos thanking Machchhar and describing him as a hero.
Israeli content creator Einav Avizemer posted a video expressing gratitude to the Indian pilot and India. She said Machchhar's actions could have prevented a much more serious outcome.
Israeli influencer Talia Yoseph also urged people to remember the captain's name, highlighting that he continued fighting despite suffering serious injuries.
Influencer Nima Yamini also praised the pilot's courage and said his actions deserved recognition.
An Israeli journalist, Neria Kraus, described the captain's struggle inside the cockpit and said Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door while fighting with the co-pilot.
How the Pilot Helped Prevent a Disaster
According to Israeli authorities, the co-pilot allegedly intended to crash the aircraft. During the incident, the plane reportedly lost thousands of metres in altitude.
Despite being seriously injured, Machchhar managed to regain control of the aircraft. A reserve crew and passengers were also able to intervene, and the plane was eventually landed safely.
The incident sparked concern because of the large number of people aboard the aircraft. The actions of the pilot and others on board were credited with helping prevent a potentially catastrophic outcome.
Indian Embassy Monitors His Condition
The Indian embassy said it was monitoring Machchhar's condition and remained in contact with his family.
According to the embassy, the captain was reported to be stable following the incident. Officials also expressed hope for his speedy recovery.
The incident quickly drew attention in India as well as Israel, with political leaders praising the pilot for his actions.
PM Modi Calls Machchhar a Hero
Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Captain Smit Machchhar a day after the incident, calling him a “hero” for his courage during the cockpit attack.
Modi said Machchhar's bravery helped save hundreds of lives and prevent a major tragedy. He also wished the captain a speedy recovery and good health.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also praised the Indian captain, describing his actions as extraordinary bravery and saying they helped prevent a catastrophic disaster.
US President Donald Trump also praised Machchhar, saying the injured pilot showed remarkable presence of mind during the emergency.
Trump said the captain was able to take control of the aircraft and level it out before it could crash. He also highlighted that Machchhar opened the cockpit door despite having been stabbed.
Captain Has Thousands of Hours of Flying Experience
Machchhar joined Flydubai in 2022 after previously working with SpiceJet. According to information from his LinkedIn profile, he has around 9,750 hours of flying experience on Boeing 737 aircraft.
His experience became particularly significant following the incident, as he was faced with an emergency inside the cockpit while also dealing with serious injuries.
The incident has since generated widespread discussion in Israel and India, with social media users sharing messages of gratitude for the Indian captain.
While investigations into the incident continue, Captain Smit Machchhar's actions have drawn praise from officials and members of the public in both countries.
For many Israelis who posted about the incident online, the message was simple: remember the name of the Indian pilot who fought to regain control of the aircraft and protect the passengers on board.
