US Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi has officially recognized Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar in the Congressional Record, commending his life-saving bravery during a harrowing hijacking attempt on a flydubai flight. On September 30, while traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, Captain Machchhar was attacked by his co-pilot with an emergency axe. Despite sustaining severe injuries, the veteran pilot managed to signal for help, allowing passengers and crew to secure the cockpit. His quick thinking during a sudden 16,000-foot plunge enabled two reserve pilots on board to take control of the aircraft and land it safely in Saudi Arabia, saving the lives of 172 passengers and crew members.

In his statement, Krishnamoorthi praised Machchhar’s extraordinary composure under fire, noting that the pilot's decision-making in the face of death prevented an unimaginable tragedy for families around the world. Beyond this US recognition, Captain Machchhar is set to receive Israel’s Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism from President Isaac Herzog. Currently, the pilot is recovering in a UAE hospital, where officials from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs report that he is making steady progress in his recovery.