1 hr ago
Prayers Honor Indian Pilot After Flydubai Cockpit Attack
Captain Smit Machchhar was flying a Flydubai plane when his co-pilot attacked him with a knife.
The plane suddenly dropped almost 14,000 feet.
Even though he was badly hurt, Machchhar opened the cockpit door.
Passengers and crew then stopped the co-pilot.
Two other pilots took control and landed the plane safely in Saudi Arabia.
Everyone on the flight reached Israel safely.
Machchhar was taken to a hospital and later flown to Abu Dhabi for more treatment.
Temples in Kashi and Somnath held prayers for his recovery.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised him as a hero.
The Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust organized Rudrabhishek prayers for Captain Smit Machchhar’s health and long life.
The trust said 21 scholars performed Rudrabhishek while 11 scholars chanted 100,000 Mahamrityunjay mantras.
The Shri Somnath Temple also conducted special worship and began a continuous Mahamrityunjaya Mantra ritual for Machchhar.
Machchhar was stabbed by his Omani co-pilot after a Flydubai flight carrying 174 people took off from Dubai.
The aircraft plunged nearly 14,000 feet, was stabilized after passengers subdued the co-pilot, and landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
- Who
- Captain Smit Machchhar, his Omani co-pilot, passengers and crew, and two other Flydubai pilots aboard the flight.
- What
- Machchhar was stabbed after takeoff but helped passengers and crew regain access to the cockpit and avert a possible crash.
- Where
- The flight departed from Dubai and landed in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia; Machchhar was later airlifted to Abu Dhabi.
- When
- The Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust posted its prayer update on October 1, 2026; the flight incident occurred earlier.
- Why
- Temples held prayers and rituals for Machchhar’s health and long life after he helped save the flight.
Key facts
- Flight operator
- Flydubai
- People aboard
- 174
- Flight emergency
- The aircraft plunged nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds before being stabilized.
- Landing location
- Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
- Medical transfer
- Machchhar was airlifted to Abu Dhabi for advanced medical care.
- Kashi prayers
- Twenty-one scholars performed Rudrabhishek, while 11 scholars chanted 100,000 Mahamrityunjay mantras.
- Official praise
- Narendra Modi and Benjamin Netanyahu described Machchhar as a hero.
Quotes
Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust
The trust overseeing the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
“With auspicious wishes for the excellent health and long life of Indian pilot Captain Smith Macchar, Rudrabhishek was performed by 21 scholars in Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham, and 11 scholars are chanting 1 lakh Mahamrityunjay mantras.”
businesstoday.in
“May Lord Shiva, with His special grace, swiftly restore this brave young man to complete health.”
businesstoday.in
Embassy of India
The Indian diplomatic mission monitoring Machchhar’s condition.
“We hope that he recovers from his injuries at the earliest. We are in touch with his family and assure them that we will continue to follow up on his health with Saudi authorities and extend all possible assistance for his well-being.”
businesstoday.in
Sources
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