Gandhinagar, October 1 (Daily Kiran) : The Gujarat government has announced that Captain Smita Machhar will be awarded the ‘Distinguished Gujarat Garima Award’ for her pivotal role in averting a major disaster on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel made the announcement on Thursday, revealing a cash prize of ₹25 lakh as part of the honor.
Despite suffering serious injuries from an attack in the cockpit, Captain Machhar displayed remarkable courage and played a crucial role in ensuring the safety of all 174 passengers on board, including 27 children. Patel praised her bravery on social media platform X, stating that the world is recognizing her heroism. He noted that Captain Machhar’s actions have brought pride to Gujarat and the nation.
In his statement, the Chief Minister emphasized that the Gujarat government is honoring Captain Machhar for her extraordinary bravery and humanitarian efforts. He also expressed hopes for her swift recovery.
Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi echoed these sentiments on X, highlighting Captain Machhar’s exceptional courage in the face of danger. He expressed pride in having such a “brave son” representing Gujarat.
This recognition follows a harrowing incident on Flydubai flight FZ1073, which occurred just a day prior. The Boeing 737 Max 8 was en route to Tel Aviv when the co-pilot allegedly attacked Captain Machhar. The plane suddenly descended but was redirected to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.
In a display of remarkable resolve, Captain Machhar opened the cockpit door, allowing crew members and passengers to assist in restraining the attacker. Two passengers then helped regain control of the aircraft, leading to a safe landing in Tabuk.
Captain Machhar’s bravery has garnered international acclaim, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu among those praising her actions. Modi spoke with her family, referring to her as a “hero” whose courage prevented a potential tragedy.
With over 13 years of experience in commercial aviation and approximately 9,750 flight hours, Captain Machhar joined Flydubai as a captain in June 2022 after more than 11 years with SpiceJet, where she served as a commander and line training captain.
Currently, Captain Machhar is receiving medical treatment in Saudi Arabia. Investigations are ongoing into the circumstances surrounding the cockpit attack and the motives behind the co-pilot’s alleged actions. Flydubai has confirmed that a dispute occurred in the flight deck and is cooperating with the investigation.
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