The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has urged the Prime Minister’s Office to consider Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot of Flydubai Flight FZ1073, for an appropriate national bravery award for his conduct during the mid-air emergency in which reportedly 182 people were on board.
In a representation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, FIP President Captain C.S. Randhawa said Machchhar demonstrated exceptional courage and professional conduct after being seriously injured during an altercation with the first officer pilot while the Dubai-Tel Aviv flight was in the air on September 30.
The federation said the Captain continued to perform his responsibilities as Pilot-in-Command despite the threat and his injuries, and that the aircraft was subsequently diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, where it made an emergency landing.
FIP described the incident as an “extraordinarily dangerous situation” in the flight deck and said Machchhar’s actions should be considered for national recognition after verification by the competent authorities.
“Captain Smit’s actions under circumstances of extreme personal danger contributed to bringing the aircraft safely to an alternate airport,” the representation said.
The FIP representation said Machchhar was reportedly attacked by the first officer pilot with a crash axe and sustained serious injuries.
