Brief
Crowds Gather Outside Smit Machchhar’s Mumbai Home to Praise Heroic Flydubai Action
Hundreds celebrated the former SpiceJet pilot’s bravery and called for a national award.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Hundreds of residents assembled outside Captain Smit Machchhar’s Tilak Nagar home in Mumbai on Sunday, waving the Indian tricolour and holding photographs of the pilot who thwarted a mid‑air attack on a Flydubai flight.
What happened
Machchhar, a former SpiceJet pilot, was stabbed by his Omani co‑pilot in the cockpit of Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday. The aircraft lost altitude rapidly, dropping about 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds before the crew diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Machchhar’s actions are credited with saving the lives of more than 170 passengers.
What was said
Citizens shouted slogans praising his courage and prayed for his swift recovery, while also demanding that the government confer a national honour on him.
Key facts
- A crowd gathered outside Machchhar’s Mumbai residence to celebrate his bravery (news18.com)
- Machchhar was stabbed by his Omani co‑pilot during a Flydubai flight (news18.com)
- The aircraft dropped about 14,000 feet in under 30 seconds before diverting to Tabuk (news18.com)
- More than 170 passengers were on board the flight (news18.com)
Sources
- [1] news18.com — originally reported as “Crowd Celebrates Outside Smit Machchhar's Mumbai Home, Seeks National Honour For Him”
