Haresh V Machchhar gazes out of the window at the throng of reporters, supporters, and onlookers, appearing apprehensive. Since his nephew, Smit Machchhar, a commercial pilot for an Indian airline, sustained injuries while preventing an in-flight cockpit attack on a flydubai flight this past Wednesday, the number of visitors outside both his residence in Ghatkopar and Smit’s home in Chembur has been increasing.
While he feels immense pride for Smit, Haresh admits that the family is becoming weary from the constant influx of visitors. “Since Wednesday evening, the television media has been relentless,” he shares. “They arrived in droves with microphones and cameras, without checking if we were prepared to speak. They began filming us, taking our pictures, and broadcasting live, staying through the night. It has been quite overwhelming. Yes, we are proud of him, but our primary concern is his recovery.”
Smit, the captain of flydubai Flight FZ1073, was leading a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv with 174 individuals on board when he was allegedly attacked and stabbed multiple times by his co-pilot in the cockpit. Despite his serious injuries, Smit managed to unlock the cockpit door, enabling passengers to subdue the assailant and safely land the aircraft.
Currently receiving treatment at a hospital in Dubai, Smit’s commendable actions have garnered accolades from international leaders. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised his bravery and quick judgment, stating that it averted a potential tragedy akin to the events of 9/11, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referred to him as a “true hero.”
Since the occurrence, a steady stream of well-wishers has visited both Smit’s home in Chembur and his uncle Haresh’s residence in Ghatkopar. However, the underlying sentiment amidst the crowds is a deep concern for Smit’s health and fervent prayers for his recovery.
On Thursday morning, as visitors continued to gather, Smit’s parents, Upendra and Geeta Machchhar, departed for Dubai to be by their son’s side. “We’ve been in contact with them. Smit’s condition is currently stable. He has always been a sweet, brave, and courageous individual,” his aunt reflects. “Even as a child, he would help elderly people cross the road, even at the tender age of 10.”
Smit, whose father is a retired businessman from Gujarat with a sari manufacturing unit and whose mother is a homemaker, spent part of his childhood in Ghatkopar. Now residing in Dubai with his wife and two young children—a daughter aged eight and a son aged two—his parents have settled in Chembur.
Interestingly, Smit’s cousin is also a pilot. Neighbor Ashok Makwana shared, “The family received a call from the aviation company last night, and the entire community learned about the incident through the news. He frequently visits his parents and makes it a point to return home for festivals.”
Those who know Smit are not surprised by his actions. “He has always been fearless and friendly, wearing his heart on his sleeve,” remarks his friend and neighbor, Akshay Doshi.
His former instructors at Welingkar Institute in Matunga, where he completed a Post Graduate Programme in Business Administration in 2007, describe him as a dedicated student. Director Pankaj Natu notes, “He excelled academically, consistently earning A grades and attended all his classes.” Shailesh Kale, who taught him marketing management, adds, “We are exploring the idea of honoring him at the institute to send a positive message to current students.”
Outside Smit’s home, admiration for him is palpable. Chembur corporator Susham Sawant has organized a gathering of about 100 people, including children, holding posters emblazoned with Smit’s image and phrases like “courage, foresight, and devotion to duty.”
According to Sawant, Smit deserves recognition for his bravery, and plans are underway for a grand celebration in his honor. “We hope Prime Minister Narendra Modi will present him with one of the nation’s highest accolades for his courageous actions. Such recognition would inspire the youth to be brave and assist others,” he states. “This Diwali will be an even more significant event for Chembur and Ghatkopar.”
Among the crowd is a ninth-grade student who expresses his aspirations, saying, “I want to be like Smit when I grow up and save people.”
As news of the incident spread, friends and neighbors united at Prabhita CHS to support the family in evading the media frenzy and to provide them with some privacy. Among those offering help was Smit’s friend Akshay Doshi. “Smit has always had a passion for aviation. He even runs a small training institute in Chembur to encourage young people to pursue careers in aviation,” Doshi states. “We are all praying for his swift recovery.”
