The Gujarat government will honour Flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar with the Vishisht Gujarat Garima Award for his courage during a serious mid-air emergency on a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced the honour on Thursday. The state government has also approved a Rs 25 lakh cash reward for Machchhar. Key HighlightsCaptain Smit Machchhar will receive the Vishisht Gujarat Garima Award.Gujarat government has announced a Rs 25 lakh cash reward.Machchhar helped protect 174 people aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073.He was injured during an alleged cockpit attack and is recovering in Saudi Arabia.What Happened on the Flydubai Flight?The incident took place on Wednesday, September 30, aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073. The Boeing 737 MAX 8 was flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv with 174 passengers, including 27 children.During the flight, the co-pilot allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar inside the cockpit. The aircraft then went into a sharp descent.Machchhar was seriously injured and was bleeding. Despite his injuries, he managed to open the cockpit door. Passengers and crew members then entered the cockpit and helped stop the attacker. Plane Safely Landed in Saudi ArabiaAfter the incident, the aircraft was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Other pilots and passengers helped regain control of the plane.The aircraft landed safely in Tabuk. Machchhar was taken to a hospital for treatment and is recovering there. The circumstances and motive behind the cockpit attack remain under investigation. “To honour his extraordinary bravery and act of humanity, the Gujarat government will honour Captain Smit Machchhar with the ‘Vishisht Gujarat Garima Award’.”Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel made the announcement on Thursday. Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi also praised Machchhar and said Gujarat was proud of his courage. PM Modi Also Praises CaptainPrime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Machchhar's family on Thursday and praised the captain's actions. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also publicly praised his courage. Captain's Aviation ExperienceMachchhar has more than 13 years of commercial aviation experience and nearly 9,750 flying hours. He joined Flydubai in June 2022 after spending more than 11 years with SpiceJet.The Rs 25 lakh reward and the Vishisht Gujarat Garima Award recognise his actions during the emergency. The award announcement comes as Captain Smit Machchhar continues to recover in Saudi Arabia.
