‘Everyone is proud of him’: Mumbai neighbours recall pilot Smit Machchhar

Neighbours of Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar in Mumbai's Ghatkopar recalled his kindness and composure, expressed pride in his actions during the Flydubai cockpit incident and said they were praying for his speedy recovery as he undergoes treatment in Saudi Arabia

Mumbai: Neighbours of Mumbai-based Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar’s family on Thursday said they were proud of him and praying for his speedy recovery.

Machchhar has been hailed as a hero for fighting off a co-pilot who allegedly tried to crash a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, drawing global attention and praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu.

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Machchhar used to live with his parents at Swastik Heights in Ghatkopar before relocating to Dubai a few years ago, neighbours said.

Dr Jinit Shah, a neighbour who has known Machchhar for over 15 years, described him as a kind-hearted person who was always ready to help others. He said Machchhar’s injured parents had left for Saudi Arabia, where he is being treated, to be by his side.

Ashok Makwana, chairman of Swastik Building, and fellow resident Laxmikant Joshi, both close friends of Machchhar’s father Upendra, said they had been supporting the family. The two said they remained with the family throughout Wednesday following the incident.

Building residents expressed immense pride in the pilot’s brave act and said they planned to give him a grand welcome and celebrate his return, while praying for his speedy recovery.

Machchhar’s childhood friend Prateek Gandhi, who used to play cricket with him, remembered him as a calm and composed person from an early age.

One of the neighbours said the pilot’s actions had helped protect the lives of more than 180 people on board the plane and described his response during the incident as an act of great courage.

“He risked his own life to save them,” the neighbour said.

The neighbour said Machchhar’s family was deeply worried about his condition but was also proud of his actions.

“They have gone there. When we get the news about his condition, we will also be happy with them,” he said.

The neighbours also recalled how they helped Machchhar’s family leave for the airport after learning about the incident.

“We immediately went to their house. We helped take their bags downstairs. We put them in the car and sent them off,” another neighbour said.

He said local resident Akshay Doshi drove the family to the airport as they were not allowed to drive themselves amid the tense situation.

“Everyone is very proud of him for what he has done. But until we get a message from there about how he is, we are still tense about the child’s condition,” the neighbour said.

Another neighbour, who described Machchhar as a close member of their housing society, said the community was praying for his recovery and sending strength to his family.

“All the strength to him. I am really praying for him and his family, especially his mother, father and brother. It is really nerve-wracking. We are praying that his reports become normal,” the neighbour said.

Machchhar was stabbed and seriously injured by his co-pilot in the cockpit of Flydubai flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, on Wednesday.