Pilots' body urges PM Modi to honour injured flydubai captain with bravery award

The Federation of Indian Pilots has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting a national bravery award or civilian recognition for Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian pilot seriously injured while helping prevent a disaster on flydubai flight FZ1073 on September 30. The pilots' body described Machchhar's actions as demonstrating "extraordinary courage, exceptional leadership and exemplary devotion to duty".

According to the FIP, Machchhar was pilot-in-command of the Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight when the first officer attacked him with a crash axe. Despite sustaining serious injuries and facing immediate danger in the cockpit, Machchhar continued his duties and safely diverted the aircraft to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia. The flight carried 174 passengers and eight crew members.

The FIP urged the Prime Minister's Office to consider Machchhar for recognition after competent authorities verify the facts.