On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot who sustained serious injuries while successfully preventing a major mid-air disaster on a flydubai flight. 

The prime minister praised the captain’s bravery in saving numerous lives and wished him a swift recovery.

During the video call, Machchhar, who is currently recovering at a hospital in the UAE, shared his personal experience and explained what gave him courage during the incident.

“I was fighting for my life. I realised at that time that if I won’t show courage, then 170 passengers will lose their lives,” Machchhar told PM Modi during the call.

He said that during those difficult moments he was reciting Hanuman Chalisa, a devotional hymn. “Lord Hanuman gave me courage,” he added.

He had spoken to the wife and parents of the pilot on Thursday, during which he assured full support from Indian missions for Machchhar and his family.

The pilot apologised to PM Modi for breaking down mid-call and said that he never imagined that he would one day get the opportunity to speak to the prime minister. 

PM Modi had earlier praised Machchhar and called him a “hero.” In a post on X, he commended his “immense courage” and “valor” and said that India is proud of him.

“Captain Smit Machchhar is a HERO. In the face of the gravest danger and despite being seriously injured, he showed immense courage and an unwavering resolve to protect the lives of others. His valour helped save hundreds of lives and avert a great tragedy. India is proud of Captain Machchhar,” he wrote.

PM Modi heaped further praise on him, saying “an Indian prevented 9/11-style tragedy.” 

“The incident that occurred yesterday, Captain Smit of India demonstrated remarkable patience, presence of mind, and courage; indeed, as the Prime Minister of Israel stated today, an Indian prevented a 9/11-style tragedy,” PM Modi, speaking at the centenary celebrations of the Union Public Service Commission yesterday in Delhi, said. 

During a mid-air altercation on Wednesday with the co-pilot, Machchhar sustained severe injuries. Despite being hurt, he successfully unlocked the cockpit door, allowing the crew and passengers to step in and avert a major disaster.

At the time, the Boeing 737, cruising at about 34,000 feet, began dropping at roughly 23,000 feet per minute before reaching about 15,600 feet.

Machchhar is a seasoned pilot with more than 13 years of commercial aviation experience and around 9,750 total flying hours, predominantly operating Boeing 737 aircraft. Before joining Flydubai, he spent 11 years with SpiceJet, where he served as a Line Training Captain.

Meanwhile, Flydubai has temporarily suspended flights to and from Israel as an investigation into Wednesday’s mid-air incident is underway, according to the airline. (NDTV)

#WATCH | PM Modi speaks with Flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar through a video call and praises his courage, presence of mind and composure in how he saved many lives

The PM says to Captain Smit, "The whole country is praying for you. Maha Mrityunjay Jaap is being done for you and… pic.twitter.com/TCj3NDqASp

— ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2026

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The pilot who flew the turbulence-hit Air India aircraft from Phuket to Delhi last week has likely failed a dope test, sources told NDTV. This, however, is not a final confirmation on the matter, with another result still pending. Air India has neither confirmed nor denied the development.

Sources said that the pilot-in-command tested positive for psychoactive substances during the post-flight screening in Delhi. Another test has also been conducted, the result of which is yet to be released.

The civil aviation ministry said the screening test result requires a confirmatory test, and a final report is awaited. Action would be taken based on the outcome of the investigation and confirmatory test results, it added.

The Tata-owned airline also did not comment on the findings since the test results have not been shared with them yet.

“We are aware that a post-flight screening test was conducted on the pilots in accordance with applicable protocols. However, the results of the test have not been shared with Air India, and we are therefore not in a position to comment on any findings,” said a spokesperson.

Both pilots have been taken off the flight roster pending the completion of the inquiry.

The screening test in respect of the Pilot-in-Command (PIC) indicated a result requiring confirmatory testing. Samples have accordingly been sent to the designated laboratory for confirmatory analysis, and the final report is awaited.

Air India undertakes regular drug testing of crew members in compliance with civil aviation regulations, independent of any specific flight or operational incident, the airline said.

“We will continue to cooperate with the relevant authorities as required,” it added in a statement.

If tested positive for drugs for the first time, rules say that the crew member must be referred to a rehabilitation centre and can only return to service with a negative dope test report. A second reoccurrence can lead to a suspension of licence for three years, while a third offence can get the licence cancelled.

Since prescribed drugs can also influence the results, the crew member must declare if he’s on medication before undergoing the tests.

‘A Sudden Loss Of Altitude’

The AI2379 flight on August 4, carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members, faced massive turbulence on its way to Delhi from the Thai tourist town. The aircraft experienced a sudden loss of altitude of 300 feet during cruise, the ministry said, calling it a “serious incident”.

At least 13 passengers and four crew members suffered injuries in the incident, the airline had said, adding that the passengers were discharged following a brief hospital stay.

Two crew members sustained spinal injuries near the tailbone and neck, according to Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, who praised the crew for showing courage despite injuries.

The turbulence lasted for about five minutes, he said, after visiting the injured passengers at a hospital.

The aviation watchdog has initiated an inquiry into the incident. The aircraft was moved to the hangar and the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder were secured for further investigation, the ministry said. (NDTV)

Air India Pilot Likely Failed Dope Test After Turbulence-Hit Flight: Sources pic.twitter.com/owdL80phbD

— NDTV (@ndtv) August 10, 2026

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A former Air Canada pilot faces criminal charges for flying tens of thousands of passengers for nearly 17 years with a fake pilot’s license, Canadian police announced Tuesday.

Geoffrey Wall was arrested June 1 after investigators say he captained over 900 domestic and international flights from 2009 to 2025, without ever obtaining the proper license or completing the mandatory testing.

“This investigation and the details surrounding it read like a movie script,” Peel Regional Police Deputy Chief Milinovich said in a news conference in Ontario. 

“(Wall) rose to the position of pilot in command where for almost 17 years they flew Boeing 767s, 777, and 787s,” while earning nearly $3 million Canadian dollars (more than $2 million US dollars) salary.

The allegations echo the 2002 film “Catch Me If You Can,” where a teenager talks his way into flying for PanAm.

In this case, Wall was licensed to fly commercial planes for his entire 27 year career with Air Canada, but police say he never possessed an Airline Transport Pilot License for Aeroplanes, also known as an ATPL-A, which was required when he was promoted to captain in 2009.

“This is very similar to a doctor that is licensed to practice family medicine but is doing brain surgery in their office,” Milinovich said. “There’s additional requirements and regulations to professional designations that exist for a reason.”

“We believe the accused misrepresented his qualifications to both his employer and the regulator,” Milinovich said.

Wall was caught after a routine examination of his credentials in 2025 revealed “anomalies… within the pilot license documentation,” and Air Canada notified regulators, the investigators said.

He retired in 2025 before the regulatory and criminal investigation, dubbed “Project Icarus,” was launched in January.

CNN was unable to immediately locate an attorney representing Wall.

The airline noted Wall was a licensed commercial pilot and regularly showed he was capable of safely flying large planes.

“Safety was not compromised by this incident because all pilots at Air Canada undergo mandatory recurrent training every six months to validate their flying competency, including a flight check with a certified Transport Canada check-pilot every 12 months,” Air Canada said in a statement posted on Monday.

“However, appropriate licensing is an essential layer of the airline industry’s multi-layered approach to safety, so Air Canada takes this matter with utmost seriousness,” the airline went on to say.

Wall was fined by Transport Canada and faces seven criminal charges, including fraud over $5,000, two counts of uttering forged documents, and three counts of possession of a counterfeit mark, police said. He is expected to appear in court on June 29, 2026. (CNN)

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The Colombo International Airport in Ratmalana (CIAR) has welcomed 15-year-old pilot Byron Waller, who is on an inspiring journey to become the youngest supported pilot to fly around the world.

Issuing a statement, the CIAR said Byron Waller arrived at the airport on Sunday (17) after an epic 11-hour flight across the Indian Ocean.

“Living with Crohn’s disease, Byron is proving that illness doesn’t define destiny.  His campaign, Teen Pilot Down Under, is a tribute to youth resilience, courage, and determination,” CIAR added. (Newswire)

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