Salman Khan Praises Captain Smit Machchhar After Flydubai Mid Air Emergency

Salman Khan has joined the growing list of celebrities praising Captain Smit Machchhar for his courage during the dramatic Flydubai flight FZ1073 incident. The Bollywood superstar took to X on Saturday to salute the Indian pilot, who was seriously injured during a mid-air cockpit attack while the flight was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Salman not only applauded Machchhar for his bravery but also said that he would be happy to fly with him, turning his social media post into a heartfelt tribute to the pilot.

Sharing his message for Captain Smit Machchhar, Salman Khan 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 actor’s words quickly drew attention as they came amid widespread appreciation for Machchhar’s actions during the September 30 emergency. Salman’s simple yet warm message reflected the admiration being expressed for the captain after he remained focused on protecting those onboard despite facing a life-threatening situation himself.

The incident involving Flydubai flight FZ1073 unfolded on September 30 when an altercation reportedly broke out inside the cockpit while the Boeing 737 was flying from Dubai towards Tel Aviv. Captain Machchhar was allegedly attacked by the co-pilot and suffered serious injuries. During the confrontation, the aircraft experienced a sudden and steep loss of altitude, prompting an emergency response. Flight-tracking data reported by leading channel showed that the aircraft dropped around 14,300 feet in a matter of seconds before the situation was brought under control.

Despite being injured, Captain Smit Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to enter and help restrain the attacker. Two off-duty pilots who were among those onboard subsequently helped with the flight, which was diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia for an emergency landing. Reports said all passengers and crew members were brought to safety. The captain was later taken for medical treatment and has remained in stable condition, with reports noting that he continues to recover from his injuries.

Captain Smit Machchhar’s professional background has also come into focus following the incident. He has served as a captain with Flydubai since 2022 and previously worked with SpiceJet in Mumbai. Reports based on his professional profile have said that he has thousands of hours of experience flying Boeing 737 aircraft. His actions during the emergency have since received appreciation from people across the country, including members of his family, while several public figures have also spoken about the courage he displayed under extraordinary circumstances.

Salman Khan’s tribute adds a Bollywood voice to the widespread appreciation for the pilot, with his line about it being “a pleasure to fly with u” standing out as a personal expression of trust and respect. Captain Machchhar’s recovery now remains a major focus following the frightening incident, while authorities continue to investigate exactly what happened inside the cockpit and the circumstances surrounding the alleged attack. For Salman, however, the message was simple — a salute to a pilot who continued to fight for the safety of everyone onboard when the situation turned terrifying.