Smit Machchhar recovering well: Indian envoy Deepak Mittal meets Flydubai pilot at UAE hospital
The Embassy says it remains in close coordination with local authorities to ensure his continued medical care and well-being
- Oct 1, 2026,
- Updated Oct 1, 2026 9:15 PM IST
Indian Ambassador to the UAE Deepak Mittal visited Captain Smit Machchhar and his family at the hospital and said the injured pilot was in good health and recovering well.
"Very reassured to meet Capt Smit. Thank the UAE government for their support and medical care being extended," Mittal said in a post on X.
"He was speaking openly, smiling and laughing, which was a great relief for us and, above all, for his family," he further said in a video message.
The envoy further said that the Captain is receiving good medical treatment and that the Indian Embassy remains in constant touch with the UAE authorities.
"Captain Machchhar is in good health and recovering well," the Indian embassy in the UAE said.
The embassy added that it remained in close coordination with local authorities to ensure Machchhar's continued medical care and well-being.
Read More: 'Aviation was not a childhood dream': The journey of Flydubai captain Smit Machchhar
Machchhar was seriously injured after his co-pilot allegedly attacked him in the cockpit of Flydubai flight FZ1073 while it was flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The aircraft was carrying 174 people.
The plane plunged nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds. Machchhar, despite being injured, managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to overpower the co-pilot. Two other Flydubai pilots who were on board then took control and landed the aircraft safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have praised Machchhar for his actions.
Earlier today, Machchhar was airlifted to Abu Dhabi for advanced medical care.
Indian Ambassador to the UAE Deepak Mittal visited Captain Smit Machchhar and his family at the hospital and said the injured pilot was in good health and recovering well.
"Very reassured to meet Capt Smit. Thank the UAE government for their support and medical care being extended," Mittal said in a post on X.
"He was speaking openly, smiling and laughing, which was a great relief for us and, above all, for his family," he further said in a video message.
The envoy further said that the Captain is receiving good medical treatment and that the Indian Embassy remains in constant touch with the UAE authorities.
"Captain Machchhar is in good health and recovering well," the Indian embassy in the UAE said.
The embassy added that it remained in close coordination with local authorities to ensure Machchhar's continued medical care and well-being.
Read More: 'Aviation was not a childhood dream': The journey of Flydubai captain Smit Machchhar
Machchhar was seriously injured after his co-pilot allegedly attacked him in the cockpit of Flydubai flight FZ1073 while it was flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The aircraft was carrying 174 people.
The plane plunged nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds. Machchhar, despite being injured, managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to overpower the co-pilot. Two other Flydubai pilots who were on board then took control and landed the aircraft safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have praised Machchhar for his actions.
Earlier today, Machchhar was airlifted to Abu Dhabi for advanced medical care.