Captain Smit Machchhar's family on Saturday, 3 October said that his act of saving 170 lives aboard flydubai flight FZ1073 — while being physically attacked by his own co-pilot — will serve as a lasting 'motivation for aspiring pilots.' The pilot, currently recovering in a Dubai hospital, is reported to be stable, according to his relatives.

Family's First Reactions

Kishorbhai Machchhar, the pilot's uncle, said he had not yet spoken directly to his nephew but had been updated by the latter's father. 'I will go to meet him at his home in Dubai once he is discharged from the hospital... we just want him to come home, then we will have a grand celebration,' he said.

Kishorbhai added that the incident had sent a clear message to the world: 'Aviation is not just a glamorous sector. The foremost priority is the safety of passengers... Smit's courageous act will serve as a motivation for aspiring pilots.'

Faith, Family and the Hanuman Chalisa

The pilot's aunt, Sonal Machchhar, offered a deeply personal account of the family's spiritual upbringing. 'Since their childhood, we would play the Hanuman Chalisa while putting the children to sleep at night. In the morning, everyone would seek blessings at the temple built inside the house. Hanuman Chalisa is also kept in our temple. This is how all the children have grown up,' she said.

Her account aligns with what Captain Machchhar reportedly told Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a video call on Friday — that he kept chanting the Hanuman Chalisa while fighting off the attacking co-pilot. Sonal also revealed that Smit and his cousin brother — her son, who also works at flydubai — were originally expected to join the family's textile business before both chose to pursue aviation, studying in New Zealand.

How the Family Learned of the Incident

Cousin sister Pooja Ganatra described the chaotic moments when news of the attack broke. Despite the incident being widely reported on television and social media, the family was initially uncertain whether Smit was on the flight in question. 'My brother is also in flydubai. He received a call that Smit was injured. He called me, and that is how I came to know about it. Obviously, the family was very disturbed,' she said.

Ganatra, who serves as Centre Head of FlyBy Aviation Academy in Mumbai, coordinated the family's response — informing Smit's parents and helping arrange their travel to Dubai. 'Certainly, this is a moment of pride for the entire world, but as a family, it is a very emotional moment for us,' she said, adding that Smit became emotional while speaking with Prime Minister Modi.

Maharashtra CM's Assurance

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met with the family and, according to Sonal Machchhar, 'reassured us, praying for Smit's speedy recovery. He also told us to contact him if we needed anything.' The gesture underscores the national attention the incident has drawn, with political leaders at the highest levels reaching out to the family.

As Captain Machchhar continues his recovery, his family says their only focus now is his safe return home — and that his courage in the cockpit has already made him a symbol of duty and resilience for the aviation community.