Archive · 2 Oct 2026
US and Indian officials praise injured Flydubai pilot's courage
Captain Smit Machchhar was flying a Flydubai plane from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
A dangerous incident happened inside the cockpit.
Machchhar was badly hurt but reportedly opened the cockpit door.
This allowed other people on the plane to enter and help stop the alleged attacker.
People in India, the United States, and Israel praised his bravery.
US Congressman Rich McCormick called him a true hero.
Indian diplomats also thanked people for sending kind messages.
However, Donald Trump said some details were based on information he had heard.
The reason for the cockpit incident had not been confirmed.
US Congressman Rich McCormick called Captain Smit Machchhar a “true hero.”
Indian Ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra said appreciation and recovery wishes continue.
The Flydubai captain was seriously injured during a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight.
Donald Trump said Machchhar opened the cockpit door, enabling others to intervene.
Trump cautioned that details and the co-pilot’s alleged motive remained unconfirmed.
- Who
- Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian Flydubai pilot, was praised by US and Indian officials and members of the public.
- What
- Machchhar was seriously injured during a cockpit incident but reportedly opened the door, enabling others to intervene.
- When
- The praise was reported on Thursday, following comments by Donald Trump the previous day; the incident date was not specified.
- Where
- The aircraft was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv; reactions came from the United States, India, and elsewhere.
- Why
- Officials and members of the public praised Machchhar for what they described as courageous actions that helped bring the aircraft under control.
Heroism and public praise
Caution about unverified details
Machchhar’s actions
Heroism and public praise
US Congressman Rich McCormick, Indian diplomats, Donald Trump, and members of the public described Machchhar’s actions as courageous and heroic.
Caution about unverified details
Donald Trump cautioned that he was repeating information he had received and could not independently confirm every detail.
The cockpit incident’s motive
Heroism and public praise
Trump said the co-pilot was alleged to have wanted to crash the plane, according to information he had heard.
Caution about unverified details
Trump explicitly said the motive had not been established and that authorities did not know whether the co-pilot intended to crash the aircraft.
- Pilot
- Captain Smit Machchhar
- Airline
- Flydubai
- Flight route
- Dubai to Tel Aviv
- Injury
- Machchhar was seriously injured
- US praise
- Congressman Rich McCormick called him a “true hero”
- Diplomatic praise
- India’s ambassador to the United States and its UN mission praised his actions
- Unconfirmed details
- Donald Trump said the reported motive and some incident details had not been independently confirmed