/images/ppid_59c68470-image-179084011708544002.webp)
What is the story about?
Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot of a flydubai flight diverted to Saudi Arabia after a mid-air attack, is in stable condition in hospital, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh said on Thursday, October 1.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu credited him with saving 174 lives, while US President Donald Trump also paid tribute.
Machchhar was injured in an altercation aboard the flight on Wednesday. The embassy said it and the Consulate in Jeddah had been following his health closely.
“He is admitted in a hospital in Tabuk city in northwest Saudi Arabia and receiving necessary medical attention,” the embassy said.
It added that a full update on his health was awaited, but that he was reported to be stable. The mission is in touch with his family and will keep liaising with Saudi authorities.
“We hope that he recovers from his injuries at the earliest,” it said.
Also Read: Who is Indian pilot Smit Machchhar? What we know so far about Flydubai flight incident
PM Modi calls Machchhar a hero
Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Machchhar for his courage during the incident and wished him a speedy recovery.
“Captain Smit Machchhar is a HERO,” Modi said. “In the face of the gravest danger and despite being seriously injured, he showed immense courage and an unwavering resolve to protect the lives of others.”
“Praying for his speedy recovery, renewed strength and good health,” Modi said.
Netanyahu salutes "extraordinary bravery"
Netanyahu singled out the pilot's conduct in a post on X: “My salute to the Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his extraordinary bravery.”
He said Machchhar fought back despite serious injuries and, by opening the cockpit door, allowed passengers and crew to overpower the attacker. According to Netanyahu, this saved 174 people, including Israeli citizens and other nationals.
“I wish Captain Machchhar a speedy and full recovery,” he added. “He is a true hero.”
Trump and Huckabee add their praise
Trump also commended the captain, saying: “In a way, he was a hero.”
Mike Huckabee, the US ambassador to Israel, appointed by Trump in 2025, earlier described the pilot on X as a “hero”, celebrated “all over Israel tonight”.
What happened on flight FZ1073
The flydubai flight was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport on Wednesday, September 30, with around 180 people on board. The Boeing 737 MAX 8 first transmitted the emergency code 7700, then 7500, which signals unlawful interference or a possible hijacking.
Flightradar24 data showed the aircraft dropping from about 33,000 feet to 17,000 feet in roughly a minute before heading towards Saudi Arabia. Israeli officials said the alert led Israel to scramble fighter aircraft.
The Associated Press, citing officials, reported that the pilots fought in the cockpit and that both were injured and taken to hospital, according to Tabuk airport authorities. flydubai said the aircraft landed safely and that all passengers were accounted for.
(With inputs from AP)
Also Read: Cancel all flights to UAE and at-risk Gulf nations, say Indian pilots
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu credited him with saving 174 lives, while US President Donald Trump also paid tribute.
Machchhar was injured in an altercation aboard the flight on Wednesday. The embassy said it and the Consulate in Jeddah had been following his health closely.
“He is admitted in a hospital in Tabuk city in northwest Saudi Arabia and receiving necessary medical attention,” the embassy said.
Our Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah have been following the health condition of Mr Smit Machchhar, the brave Indian pilot of Flydubai flight that was diverted to Tabuk today. He is admitted in a hospital in Tabuk city in northwest Saudi Arabia and receiving necessary…
— India in Saudi Arabia (@IndianEmbRiyadh) September 30, 2026
It added that a full update on his health was awaited, but that he was reported to be stable. The mission is in touch with his family and will keep liaising with Saudi authorities.
“We hope that he recovers from his injuries at the earliest,” it said.
Also Read: Who is Indian pilot Smit Machchhar? What we know so far about Flydubai flight incident
PM Modi calls Machchhar a hero
Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Machchhar for his courage during the incident and wished him a speedy recovery.
“Captain Smit Machchhar is a HERO,” Modi said. “In the face of the gravest danger and despite being seriously injured, he showed immense courage and an unwavering resolve to protect the lives of others.”
Captain Smit Machchhar is a HERO.
In the face of the gravest danger and despite being seriously injured, he showed immense courage and an unwavering resolve to protect the lives of others.
His valour helped save hundreds of lives and avert a great tragedy.
India is proud of…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 1, 2026
“Praying for his speedy recovery, renewed strength and good health,” Modi said.
Netanyahu salutes "extraordinary bravery"
Netanyahu singled out the pilot's conduct in a post on X: “My salute to the Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his extraordinary bravery.”
My salute to the Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his extraordinary bravery.
Despite being stabbed and seriously injured, he fought back, resisted, opened the cockpit door, and enabled passengers and crew to overpower the attacker — preventing a catastrophic mid-air…
— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) September 30, 2026
He said Machchhar fought back despite serious injuries and, by opening the cockpit door, allowed passengers and crew to overpower the attacker. According to Netanyahu, this saved 174 people, including Israeli citizens and other nationals.
“I wish Captain Machchhar a speedy and full recovery,” he added. “He is a true hero.”
Trump and Huckabee add their praise
Trump also commended the captain, saying: “In a way, he was a hero.”
“In a way, he was a hero,” says US President Trump on Indian captain Smit Machchar pic.twitter.com/JQRq5xfjj4
— Shashank Mattoo (@MattooShashank) September 30, 2026
Mike Huckabee, the US ambassador to Israel, appointed by Trump in 2025, earlier described the pilot on X as a “hero”, celebrated “all over Israel tonight”.
Amen @AmirOhana as the Indian pilot is a hero & being celebrated all over Israel tonight. https://t.co/rs2oN96Uv3
— Ambassador Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) September 30, 2026
What happened on flight FZ1073
The flydubai flight was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport on Wednesday, September 30, with around 180 people on board. The Boeing 737 MAX 8 first transmitted the emergency code 7700, then 7500, which signals unlawful interference or a possible hijacking.
Flightradar24 data showed the aircraft dropping from about 33,000 feet to 17,000 feet in roughly a minute before heading towards Saudi Arabia. Israeli officials said the alert led Israel to scramble fighter aircraft.
The Associated Press, citing officials, reported that the pilots fought in the cockpit and that both were injured and taken to hospital, according to Tabuk airport authorities. flydubai said the aircraft landed safely and that all passengers were accounted for.
(With inputs from AP)
Also Read: Cancel all flights to UAE and at-risk Gulf nations, say Indian pilots
/images/ppid_59c68470-image-179082255274557085.webp)
/images/ppid_59c68470-image-179078266415884362.webp)
/images/ppid_59c68470-image-179084002582317829.webp)
