Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has joined the chorus of voices lauding Captain Smit Machchhar for his heroic actions during a mid-air emergency on flydubai flight FZ1073. Taking to his Instagram Story, the actor commended the pilot for his composure under pressure, emphasizing that he prioritized the safety of his passengers above his own well-being. SRK wrote that staring adversity in the face is no small feat, calling the Captain’s conduct a true display of courage and duty. He wished the pilot a speedy recovery and noted that the entire country is proud of his unwavering commitment to his role.
SRK is not the only industry icon to recognize the pilot’s bravery. Salman Khan also took to social media to express his admiration, calling the pilot ‘Kamaal’ and sharing that it would be a pleasure to fly with him in the future. The praise comes as the pilot’s family in Rajkot continues to receive support from across the nation. His cousin, Pulkit Machchhar, recently shared how proud the family and their community are of the lives saved, noting that seeing national figures acknowledge his actions has been a massive source of pride for everyone involved.
The life-threatening incident occurred on September 30 during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. An Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked the commander in a terrifying mid-air confrontation, which caused the aircraft to plummet 16,000 feet in just two minutes. Despite suffering serious injuries, Captain Machchhar fought back against his attacker. With the help of the flight crew and passengers who rushed to the cockpit, the situation was brought under control. The plane made a safe emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, ensuring that all 180 people on board disembarked without any injuries.