Captain Smit Machchhar Hailed After Flydubai Cockpit Attack Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar is being praised internationally after a serious cockpit attack aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30. Despite suffering severe injuries, Machchhar managed to unlock the cockpit door, enabling others on board to intervene; all 174 passengers were reported safe after the aircraft made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. Prime Minister Narendra Modi later spoke with Machchhar, praised his courage and presence of mind, and wished him a speedy recovery. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also praised the Indian pilot and reportedly invited him to Israel’s Independence Day celebrations. The Gujarat government has announced that Machchhar will receive the Vishisht Gujarat Garima Award, while special prayers for his recovery have been held at temples including Somnath, Kashi Vishwanath and Kedarnath. Within days, a pilot largely unknown outside aviation c...