Captain Smit Machchhar’s health is improving: MEA
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that Captain Smit Machchhar is recovering in an Abu Dhabi hospital following a violent attack by his co-pilot on a flydubai flight. The captain successfully helped land the plane safely after the mid-air incident.
Why it matters
The incident highlights critical safety and security concerns regarding cockpit management and pilot mental health in commercial aviation.
Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, who was injured in an attack by his co-pilot on a flydubai plane, is responding well after operation at a hospital in Abu Dhabi and his health is improving, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Wednesday (October 7, 2026).
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said this during his bi-weekly media briefing.
"Capt Machchhar is in a hospital in Abu Dhabi. Our Embassy in the UAE has been in regular touch with his family, his doctors, and hospital and local authorities there, so as to get the latest update about his health," he said.
"According to the information that we have, his health is improving, and after operation, he is in the stage of recuperation. He is responding well," Mr. Jaiswal said.
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