Congressman Krishnamoorthi to Honor Captain Smit Machchhar in Congressional Record for His Heroism During Flydubai Hijacking Attempt

WASHINGTON — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) announced today that he will enter a statement into the Congressional Record on Friday honoring Captain Smit Machchhar for his extraordinary bravery aboard Flydubai Flight 1073 on September 30, 2026. After being attacked by the flight’s first officer, who attempted to seize control of the aircraft, Captain Machchhar’s actions helped save the lives of 172 passengers and his fellow crew members.

Congressman Krishnamoorthi’s full statement follows:

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Captain Smit Machchhar of India, a husband, father, and pilot with 17 years of flying experience, including 11 as a captain, whose extraordinary bravery on September 30, 2026, helped save the lives of 172 passengers and his fellow crew members aboard Flydubai Flight 1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv, including 4 United States citizens and 27 children.

Midway through the flight, the first officer attacked Captain Machchhar with the aircraft's emergency crash axe and attempted to seize the flight controls. The aircraft plunged approximately 16,000 feet in about 30 seconds. Despite grave injuries, Captain Machchhar fought his way to the cockpit door and opened it, allowing passengers and crew members to enter and overpower his attacker. Two reserve Flydubai pilots traveling aboard the aircraft then took control and landed it safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

Even as Captain Machchhar fought for his own life, he understood that the lives of everyone aboard depended on what he did next. Despite his injuries, his years of experience told him that the aircraft was going down, and he found the strength to reach that door. His presence of mind, determination, and courage gave the passengers and crew the chance they needed to stop the attack and avert a catastrophe.

Behind every person aboard Flight 1073 is a family that was spared an unimaginable loss. Because Captain Machchhar refused to give up, the passengers and crew aboard that aircraft had the chance to return to the people who love them.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Captain Smit Machchhar, whose extraordinary courage helped save hundreds of lives aboard Flight 1073. 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.”

Congressman Krishnamoorthi’s Congressional Record Entry is available here.