Raja Krishnamoorthi To Honor Indian Pilot For Averting Flight Disaster

WASHINGTON, DC-Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, whose bravery helped save 172 passengers and crew members aboard a Flydubai flight after a fellow pilot allegedly attacked him with an axe, will be honored in the Congressional Record of the US House of Representatives.

Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), announced on October 8 that he would enter a statement into the Congressional Record on October 9, recognizing Machchhar’s courage during the September 30 incident aboard Flydubai Flight 1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv.

Krishnamoorthi said the captain’s actions helped avert a catastrophe after the aircraft’s first officer allegedly attacked him and attempted to seize control of the plane.

The aircraft plunged around 16,000 feet in just 30 seconds during the incident.

Despite suffering serious injuries, Machchhar managed to reach and open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to enter and overpower the attacker. Two reserve Flydubai pilots travelling aboard the aircraft then took control and landed the plane safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

The flight was carrying 172 passengers and crew members, including four US citizens and 27 children, according to Krishnamoorthi’s statement.

In his statement for the Congressional Record, Krishnamoorthi praised the captain’s determination to protect those aboard despite facing a life-threatening attack.

“Even as Captain Machchhar fought for his own life, he understood that the lives of everyone aboard depended on what he did next,” the congressman said.

“Despite his injuries, his years of experience told him that the aircraft was going down, and he found the strength to reach that door.”

Krishnamoorthi said Machchhar’s presence of mind, determination and courage gave passengers and crew members the opportunity to intervene and stop the attack.

“His presence of mind, determination, and courage gave the passengers and crew the chance they needed to stop the attack and avert a catastrophe,” he said.

The congressman also highlighted the impact of Machchhar’s actions on the families of those aboard the flight.

“Behind every person aboard Flight 1073 is a family that was spared an unimaginable loss,” he said.

Krishnamoorthi urged fellow lawmakers to join him in recognizing the Indian pilot’s bravery and extended his wishes for Machchhar’s recovery.

“We extend our warmest wishes to him, his wife Sonal, their two children, and their entire family, and we hope for the captain’s full-speed recovery from his injuries at the earliest,” he said.

The Congressional Record is the official record of proceedings and debates in the US Congress and can include lawmakers’ statements recognizing individuals and significant events. (IANS)