Salman Khan has stepped forward to applaud the extraordinary courage of flydubai pilot Captain Smit Machchhar following a harrowing mid-air security crisis. Taking to X, the ‘Bodyguard’ actor shared a heartfelt message of appreciation for the pilot’s heroic actions during flight FZ1073. Salman wrote, “Kamaal kar diya pilot ji, hum sab aap ko salute karte hain will be a pleasure to fly with u.. Well done bro.. Capt #SmitMachchhar.” The star’s public acknowledgment has further highlighted the pilot’s bravery, which saved the lives of everyone on board.
The incident, which took place on September 30, saw the Dubai to Tel Aviv flight face a life-threatening situation when an Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked the commander in a suspected terror-driven attempt to bring down the aircraft. The confrontation led to a terrifying 16,000-foot drop in just two minutes. Despite suffering serious injuries during the struggle, Captain Machchhar fought back against the assailant while flight crew and passengers rushed to the cockpit to assist. Their collective efforts ensured the attacker was restrained and the plane made a safe emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, with all 180 passengers and crew members unharmed.
Back in Rajkot, the pilot’s family is reeling with pride over his actions. His cousin, Pulkit Machchhar, shared that the entire community and nation are standing behind the captain as he recovers. He noted that receiving recognition from a national figure like Salman Khan has been an incredibly proud moment for the family. As the nation continues to pray for his swift recovery, the captain is being hailed as a hero for his unwavering composure and resilience in the face of a mid-air disaster.