New Delhi [India], October 1 : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday lauded the courage and sense of duty displayed by Flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar during the mid-air crisis, saying his presence of mind and commitment to protecting those on board would always be remembered.
"The courage and sense of duty shown by Captain Smit Machchhar in the face of grave danger is deeply commendable. Despite being seriously injured during the in-flight crisis, Captain Machchhar remained resolute and played a crucial role in helping protect the lives of those on board," CM Yogi said in a post on X.
"His courage, presence of mind and commitment to duty will always be remembered. Praying to Prabhu Shri Ram for his speedy recovery, strength and good health. Jai Hind!" he added.
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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also said the nation stood with Captain Machchhar and took "immense pride" in his courage.
"The nation stands with Captain Smit Machchhar and takes immense pride in his extraordinary courage. Putting his own life on the line, he upheld the highest traditions of duty and service, helping protect the lives of everyone on board. His courage, composure and sense of duty will remain an enduring source of inspiration for the nation. Wishing him a speedy and complete recovery," Singh said in a post on X.
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Union Minister Piyush Goyal described Machchhar as a "true hero", saying the pilot was gravely injured while the aircraft faced a sudden plunge.
"Captain Smit Machchhar, a true hero in every sense of the word. Under severe attack, gravely injured, and with his aircraft facing a sudden 14,000-foot plunge, he fought back with sheer grit, regained control of the flight, and saved 174 lives from certain catastrophe," Goyal said.
"His courage in the face of mortal danger reflects the finest mettle of an Indian aviator. 140 crore Indians stand tall with pride today. Saluting his extraordinary valour and praying for his swift recovery," he added.
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Former Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal also praised Machchhar's courage.
"I am so, so proud of Captain Smit Machchhar. Even with his own life on the line, he saved countless others, showing the world what true Indian courage looks like. It is only fitting that the global community is applauding him today. I join everyone in praying for the speedy recovery of this true hero from our India," Kejriwal said.
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Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy also hailed Machchhar for his "extraordinary courage" in protecting passengers and crew.
"Hats off to Captain Smit Machchhar for his extraordinary courage in saving the lives of the passengers and crew. Despite being seriously injured, he remained steadfast in his commitment to passenger safety. A pride of India, he showed the world the meaning of courage and selflessness. Wishing him a speedy and full recovery. A true hero," Reddy said.
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Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said Machchhar "embodied what it means to be a true aviator in the hour of gravest peril".
"Hundreds of lives stand protected because he put duty above his own safety. Immense gratitude and prayers for his swift recovery," Scindia said.
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Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said Machchhar's courage reflected the values of putting others' safety before one's own.
"Captain Smit Machchhar’s courage reflects the finest values of India. Even when his own life was at risk and he was seriously injured, Captain Machchhar’s first thought was for the safety of others. His courage reflects a deeply held Indian value: in moments of danger, we do not turn away from those in need, we step forward to protect and help them. The nation stands with Captain Machchhar and his family at this difficult hour. His courage in protecting others, even at great personal risk, will remain an example of the highest spirit of service. Wishing him a strong and complete recovery," he added.
https://x.com/ChouhanShivraj/status/2105498658523509205
The remarks came after Flydubai Flight FZ1073, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, was diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia following an altercation in the cockpit in which Captain Machchhar was seriously injured. The aircraft was subsequently diverted and landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, Federation of Indian Pilots president Captain CS Randhawa said the incident represented a "total failure" of Cockpit Resource Management (CRM), stressing that the circumstances leading to the physical altercation between the two pilots needed to be investigated.
"This is a case of total failure of the CRM -- Cockpit Resource Management. So, how did this situation of a physical altercation even arise? The matter needs investigation," Randhawa told ANI.
Praising Machchhar, Randhawa said, "He did a very brave thing and did a very good job."
"If it is true that the pilot tried to commit suicide and tried to bring the plane down, and Captain Smit overpowered him, then it is a very brave act and in our opinion a matter of great pride for Indian pilots," he said.
Randhawa said the circumstances would become clear after the investigation, including who ultimately landed the aircraft after both pilots were injured.
According to Randhawa, the aircraft lost about 17,000 feet in roughly one-and-a-half minutes during the incident. He said the cockpit voice recorder and digital flight data recorder would be crucial in establishing what happened.
On the possibility of a terror attack, Randhawa said it was "a widespread rumour" and stressed that the Saudi authorities conducting the investigation should be trusted.
"The Saudi Government, that is, the Civil Aviation Authority, is investigating it. Only they know what happened at this time," he said.
Machchhar's former employer, SpiceJet Chairman and Managing Director Ajay Singh, also praised his actions, saying the pilot's responsibility was to protect the lives entrusted to him.
"I was incredibly proud to know of this, but this is the job of a pilot. His job is to protect the lives that have been entrusted to him. And in this case, 180 lives were entrusted to Captain Smit Machchhar, and he did a tremendous job saving and preserving those lives," Singh told ANI.
Flydubai said an "altercation occurred in the flight deck" and that the aircraft was "successfully secured by on-duty FlyDubai crew travelling on the flight, who diverted and landed the aircraft safely".
The aircraft landed in Tabuk, where Machchhar was hospitalised. The passengers were subsequently flown to Tel Aviv on another aircraft.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier hailed Machchhar as a "HERO", saying that despite being seriously injured, he showed "immense courage" and an "unwavering resolve" to protect the lives of others.
The Indian pilot has received widespread praise following the incident, with leaders and aviation officials highlighting his actions during the emergency. The investigation into the circumstances of the cockpit altercation is underway.
Captain Machchhar, who has more than 13 years of commercial aviation experience and around 9,750 flying hours, had spent about 11 years with SpiceJet before joining Flydubai. He is currently recovering at a hospital in Tabuk.