Captain Smit Machchhar, who fought off an attack from his co-pilot inside the cockpit of a flydubai plane, saving the lives of 174 passengers and crew members, will receive the State of Israel’s Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism, the country’s highest bravery award for civilians.
“Alongside the Israeli heroes whom we honour today, we send our heartfelt wishes for the full and speedy recovery of Captain Smit Machchhar of India. Today, the whole world saw the beautiful and courageous face of Israeli society,” Herzog had said last week. Captain Machchhar’s sheer bravery and sound professionalism helped avert a catastrophe. Captain Machchhar’s bravery thwarted the plan. “You put yourselves at risk to save others and prevented a terrible disaster. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump have lauded Captain Smit Machchhar for his heroics.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said the Indian pilot will get the award after he regains his strength. Once he regains his strength, it will be my privilege to award him, on behalf of the people of Israel, the State of Israel’s Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism,” he said. Hammami’s original plan was to take control of the plane, fly it to Tel Aviv and crash it into a building, according to reports citing Israeli intelligence. The Israeli President has presented “heroism” awards to five Israelis who helped overpower the flydubai co-pilot and prevented him from crashing the plane.
