Archive · 1 Oct 2026
US Lawmakers Praise Indian Pilot Who Saved 174 Lives
Pilot Smit Machchhar was flying a plane from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
The report says his co-pilot attacked him during the flight.
Machchhar fought back while trying to protect the passengers and crew.
His actions helped save 174 lives.
He was seriously injured during the incident.
Several US lawmakers praised him as a hero.
Experts compared him with pilot Chelsea “Sully” Sullenberger, who safely landed a plane on New York’s Hudson River in 2009.
Officials said the incident is still being investigated.
US lawmakers and aviation experts called Indian pilot Smit Machchhar a hero.
Machchhar reportedly fought off his co-pilot during a Dubai–Tel Aviv flight.
His actions helped save 174 people aboard the aircraft, although he was seriously injured.
Senator Tim Sheehy said Machchhar may have changed the aircraft’s squawk code to alert air traffic control.
Experts compared Machchhar’s actions with Chelsea “Sully” Sullenberger’s 2009 Hudson River landing.
- Who
- Indian pilot Smit Machchhar, his co-pilot, and the 174 people aboard the aircraft; US lawmakers and experts praised Machchhar.
- What
- Machchhar reportedly fought off an attack by his co-pilot and helped prevent a major tragedy.
- When
- The report was published on October 1; the exact time of the flight incident was not specified.
- Where
- A Dubai–Tel Aviv aircraft; the report does not specify the precise location of the incident.
- Why
- Machchhar was praised because his actions helped save the people aboard the aircraft.
- Pilot
- Smit Machchhar
- Flight route
- Dubai to Tel Aviv
- Lives saved
- 174, according to the report
- Pilot’s condition
- Seriously injured
- Possible emergency signal
- Senator Tim Sheehy said Machchhar may have changed the aircraft’s squawk code to alert air traffic control.
- US praise
- Lawmakers including Steve Daines, Nancy Mace, Steny Hoyer, Marlin Stutzman, and Rich McCormick praised Machchhar.
- Comparison
- Experts compared Machchhar with Chelsea “Sully” Sullenberger, who landed a US Airways plane on the Hudson River in 2009.