The heroism of Indian pilot Captain Smith Machhar. Indian Captain Smith Machhar thwarted an attempt by an assailant to hijack or cause a disaster on a ‘Flydubai’ flight bound for Tel Aviv from Dubai, using his courage and presence of mind. Despite facing a knife attack, he opened the cockpit door, joined forces with Israeli passengers to overpower the attacker, and ensured the aircraft landed safely. In a podcast with Jalk Mehta, Captain Smith Machhar discussed a harrowing situation from his life; a few months earlier, he had encountered severe weather conditions while landing a plane in Mykonos, Greece. During the landing, there was a sudden change in wind speed and direction—a phenomenon known as ‘wind shear’—which affects an aircraft’s speed and lift. Smith stated that, at that moment, he had to put in 200% effort rather than the usual 100%. Thanks to the simulator training he underwent every six months and his precise maneuvering, he managed to safely guide the aircraft out of that critical situation.
Praise from World Leaders:
Captain Smith-Mcchar has received high praise for this heroic act from prominent world leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Donald Trump, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Smith has expressed the view that flying an aircraft is not merely an act of courage, but a process involving continuous, rigorous training and vigilance.
