Salman Khan salutes Captain Smit Machchhar after Flydubai cockpit attack
Synopsis
Salman Khan's X tribute to Captain Smit Machchhar captured the nation's mood — the Indian pilot, despite being seriously injured after his co-pilot allegedly attacked him mid-flight, opened the cockpit door and saved 174 lives on Flydubai FZ1073. From Anil Kapoor to Vicky Kaushal, Bollywood's rare unanimous salute says more about the act than any headline could.
Key Takeaways
Salman Khan posted a tribute on X saluting Captain Smit Machchhar for his heroism aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073 .
Captain Machchhar was seriously injured after his co-pilot allegedly attacked him inside the cockpit mid-flight.
Despite his injuries, Machchhar opened the cockpit door, allowing crew intervention and saving all 174 people on board.
The aircraft was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia , where it landed safely.
Actors including Anil Kapoor , Vicky Kaushal , Sunny Deol , Tamannaah Bhatia , and R.
Madhavan also paid tribute to the pilot.
Captain Machchhar is currently recovering, with wishes pouring in from across India.
Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has publicly praised Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his extraordinary courage during a terrifying mid-air crisis aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073, calling it a 'pleasure to fly with' the captain in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on 3 October 2026. The tribute comes as the brave pilot continues to recover from serious injuries sustained during the incident.
Salman Khan's X Post
Taking to his official X account, Khan wrote: 'Kamaal kar diya pilot ji, hum sab aap ko salute karte hain will be a pleasure to fly with u.. Well done bro.. Capt #SmitMachchhar.' The opening phrase carried a characteristic Salman-style warmth, drawing a subtle echo of his iconic Dabangg dialogue 'Kamaal karte ho, Pandey ji' — giving the tribute a tone instantly recognisable to fans as his own.
What Happened Aboard Flydubai FZ1073
Flydubai flight FZ1073 was en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv with 174 people on board when the situation inside the cockpit turned dangerous. According to reports, Captain Machchhar's co-pilot allegedly attacked him, leaving the captain seriously injured. Despite his condition, Machchhar reportedly managed to open the cockpit door, enabling passengers and crew to intervene and bring the situation under control. The aircraft was subsequently diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely, averting what could have been a catastrophic tragedy.
Bollywood Rallies Behind the Captain
Salman Khan was far from alone in his admiration. Actor Anil Kapoor shared a heartfelt tribute, revealing a personal connection to the pilot through his business manager Jalal, who had known Machchhar since flying school. Kapoor wrote in part: 'What Smit did in that moment was nothing short of extraordinary. It takes immense courage to stay strong and put others first...' He also wished the captain a speedy recovery.
Vicky Kaushal shared a photograph of Machchhar in the cockpit alongside the caption 'Braveheart! Capt Smit Machchhar.' Actor Sunny Deol praised the pilot's 'extraordinary courage and presence of mind', stating he had helped avert a disaster and save lives. Tamannaah Bhatia highlighted the immense responsibility Machchhar shouldered during the crisis, while R. Madhavan prayed for the pilot's speedy recovery, describing him as a 'true hero'.
Why the Tribute Resonates
This comes amid growing public discourse around aviation safety and the mental and physical fortitude required of pilots in life-threatening situations. The incident involving FZ1073 is being widely described as one of the most dramatic cockpit crises in recent aviation history involving an Indian national. Captain Machchhar's decision to open the cockpit door — despite severe injuries — is being credited as the pivotal act that allowed crew intervention and ultimately saved 174 lives. The outpouring from the film fraternity reflects a rare moment of national solidarity around an individual's act of selfless bravery.
Captain Machchhar is currently recovering, and well-wishes from across the country and the entertainment industry continue to pour in.
Point of View
Injured and outnumbered in the cockpit, who chose to act rather than survive quietly. The mainstream coverage has rightly focused on the heroism, but the aviation safety question — how a co-pilot was allegedly able to attack a captain mid-flight — deserves equal scrutiny. The feel-good narrative should not obscure the systemic gaps that allowed the threat to materialise in the first place.
NationPress
3 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Salman Khan post about Captain Smit Machchhar?
Salman Khan posted on X: 'Kamaal kar diya pilot ji, hum sab aap ko salute karte hain will be a pleasure to fly with u.. Well done bro.. Capt #SmitMachchhar.' The tribute praised the Indian pilot's courage during a life-threatening mid-air crisis aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073.
What happened on Flydubai flight FZ1073?
Flydubai flight FZ1073, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv with 174 people on board, was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after Captain Smit Machchhar was allegedly attacked by his co-pilot inside the cockpit. Despite serious injuries, Machchhar opened the cockpit door to allow crew intervention, and the flight landed safely.
Who is Captain Smit Machchhar?
Captain Smit Machchhar is an Indian pilot who was commanding Flydubai flight FZ1073 when his co-pilot allegedly attacked him mid-flight. His decision to open the cockpit door despite severe injuries is credited with saving all 174 lives on board and has earned him widespread national recognition.
Which other Bollywood celebrities paid tribute to Captain Machchhar?
Anil Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, Sunny Deol, Tamannaah Bhatia, and R. Madhavan all posted tributes on social media. Anil Kapoor also revealed a personal connection to the pilot through his business manager Jalal, who had known Machchhar since flying school.
How is Captain Smit Machchhar doing now?
Captain Smit Machchhar is currently recovering from the serious injuries he sustained during the cockpit attack. Well-wishes and tributes from across the country and the entertainment industry continue to pour in for the pilot.
