Floor SpeechUrgent2026-10-09

RECOGNIZING CAPTAIN SMIT MACHCHHAR FOR HIS BRAVERY

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On 2026-10-09, Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-8) delivered a floor speech titled "RECOGNIZING CAPTAIN SMIT MACHCHHAR FOR HIS BRAVERY" in the House.

Full Text

RECOGNIZING CAPTAIN SMIT MACHCHHAR FOR HIS BRAVERY

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 159 (Friday, October 9, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 159 (Friday, October 9, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E1051] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING CAPTAIN SMIT MACHCHHAR FOR HIS BRAVERY ______ HON. RAJA KRISHNAMOORTHI of illinois in the house of representatives Friday, October 9, 2026 Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Captain Smit Machchhar of India, a husband, father, and pilot with 17 years of flying experience, including 11 as a captain, whose extraordinary bravery on September 30, 2026, helped save the lives of 172 passengers and his fellow crew members aboard Flydubai Flight 1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv, including 4 United States citizens and 27 children. Midway through the flight, the first officer attacked Captain Machchhar with the aircraft's emergency crash axe and attempted to seize the flight controls. The aircraft plunged approximately 16,000 feet in about 30 seconds. Despite grave injuries, Captain Machchhar fought his way to the cockpit door and opened it, allowing passengers and crew members to enter and overpower his attacker. Two reserve Flydubai pilots traveling aboard the aircraft then took control and landed it safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Even as Captain Machchhar fought for his own life, he understood that the lives of everyone aboard depended on what he did next. Despite his injuries, his years of experience told him that the aircraft was going down, and he found the strength to reach that door. His presence of mind, determination, and courage gave the passengers and crew the chance they needed to stop the attack and avert a catastrophe. Behind every person aboard Flight 1073 is a family that was spared an unimaginable loss. Because Captain Machchhar refused to give up, the passengers and crew aboard that aircraft had the chance to return to the people who love them. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Captain Smit Machchhar, whose extraordinary courage helped save hundreds of lives aboard Flight 1073. We extend our warmest wishes to him, his wife Sonal, their two children, and their entire family, and we hope for the captain's full-speed recovery from his injuries at the earliest. ____________________

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RECOGNIZING CAPTAIN SMIT MACHCHHAR FOR HIS BRAVERY Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 159 (Friday, October 9, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 159 (Friday, October 9, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E1051] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING CAPTAIN SMIT MACHCHHAR FOR HIS BRAVERY ______ HON. RAJA KRISHNAMOORTHI of illinois in the house of representatives Friday, October 9, 2026 Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Captain Smit Machchhar of India, a husband, father, and pilot with 17 years of flying experience, including 11 as a captain, whose extraordinary bravery on September 30, 2026, helped save the lives of 172 passengers and his fellow crew members aboard Flydubai Flight 1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv, including 4 United States citizens and 27 children. Midway through the flight, the first officer attacked Captain Machchhar with the aircraft's emergency crash axe and attempted to seize the flight controls. The aircraft plunged approximately 16,000 feet in about 30 seconds. Despite grave injuries, Captain Machchhar fought his way to the cockpit door and opened it, allowing passengers and crew members to enter and overpower his attacker. Two reserve Flydubai pilots traveling aboard the aircraft then took control and landed it safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Even as Captain Machchhar fought for his own life, he understood that the lives of everyone aboard depended on what he did next. Despite his injuries, his years of experience told him that the aircraft was going down, and he found the strength to reach that door. His presence of mind, determination, and courage gave the passengers and crew the chance they needed to stop the attack and avert a catastrophe. Behind every person aboard Flight 1073 is a family that was spared an unimaginable loss. Because Captain Machchhar refused to give up, the passengers and crew aboard that aircraft had the chance to return to the people who love them. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Captain Smit Machchhar, whose extraordinary courage helped save hundreds of lives aboard Flight 1073. We extend our warmest wishes to him, his wife Sonal, their two children, and their entire family, and we hope for the captain's full-speed recovery from his injuries at the earliest. ____________________