03 October,2026 07:20 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Shah Rukh Khan and Captain Smit Machchhar pics via Instagram
A harrowing mid-air emergency involving a Flydubai flight has drawn widespread attention after Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar was seriously injured during an attack inside the cockpit. As details of the incident emerged, Bollywood stars, including Shah Rukh Khan, praised the captain for his actions that helped passengers and crew regain control of the aircraft.
Shah Rukh Khan took to social media to salute Machchhar, who was piloting Flydubai Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv when the incident occurred on September 30. "Captain Smit Machchhar, you stood strong when it mattered the most," Shah Rukh wrote, adding that the pilot had put his own safety on the line to protect those onboard. He wished Machchhar a speedy recovery and described his actions as "a true display of courage and duty." The actor was among several Bollywood personalities who publicly acknowledged the pilot's actions. Salman Khan, Ranveer Singh, Vicky Kaushal, Sunny Deol and Tamannaah Bhatia also shared messages praising Machchhar.
According to reports, the Boeing 737 was carrying 174 people when Machchhar was attacked by his co-pilot inside the cockpit. During the struggle, the aircraft entered a rapid descent.
Despite being seriously injured, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door. This allowed passengers and crew members to enter and help restrain the attacker, while others assisted in stabilising the aircraft. The plane eventually made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, with passengers unharmed.
The captain was initially treated in Saudi Arabia and later moved to Abu Dhabi for continued medical care. Reuters reported that Machchhar later spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi from his hospital bed, describing how he realised the aircraft was descending and made a final effort to open the cockpit door.
The circumstances surrounding the attack are now under investigation. UAE authorities said on October 3 that the co-pilot used the aircraft's emergency crash axe to attack Machchhar and described the incident as a terrorist act. The Guardian reported that Machchhar's decision to open the cockpit door proved crucial because passengers and other pilots were then able to intervene. The report also noted that aviation experts were struck by the severity of the aircraft's descent and the fact that it was ultimately recovered safely.
Well, Shah Rukh Khan's message came as tributes poured in from across India. Vicky Kaushal called Machchhar a "Braveheart", while Sunny Deol praised his "extraordinary courage and presence of mind." For now, Captain Machchhar remains under medical care. His actions during the emergency have drawn recognition far beyond the aviation industry, while authorities continue investigating exactly how the cockpit attack unfolded.
