Mumbai | Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, hailed as a hero for fighting off the co-pilot trying to crash a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, had displayed presence of mind even as a young boy, according to his childhood friend Prateek Gandhi.
"He was very calm and composed from day one. He was the most "sorted out" kind of kid in our housing society," said Gandhi, who lives in the same building as the pilot's family in Mumbai.
"When we first heard the news, we were all shocked. First of all, we did not realise that he is our Smit. We now hear that he has been operated upon and is doing good," the pilot's friend said.
"We have not heard any other news from his family. They are not here. Everyone is staying in Dubai," said Gandhi, who recalled playing cricket with Smit in childhood as his next-door neighbour.
Calling the pilot a hero, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said that despite being wounded, Machchhar fought back and managed to prevent a 9/11-type disaster.
"Captain Smit Machchhar is a HERO," wrote Prime Minister Narendra Modi on X. "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." He added, "India is proud of Captain Machchhar." Neighbours and acquaintances of Machchhar also praised his courage, saying they were praying for his recovery and recalling the tense moments after news of the incident emerged.
One of his neighbours said the pilot's actions had helped protect the lives of more than 180 people on board the plane and described his response during the incident as an act of great courage.
"He risked his own life to save them," the neighbour said.
The neighbour said Machchhar's family was deeply worried about his condition but was also proud of his actions.
"They have gone there. When we get the news about his condition, we will also be happy with them," he said.
The neighbours also recalled how they helped Machchhar's family leave for the airport after learning about the incident.
"We immediately went to their house. We helped take their bags downstairs. We put them in the car and sent them off," another neighbour said.
He said a local resident, Akshay Doshi, drove the family to the airport as they were not allowed to drive themselves amid the tense situation.
"Everyone is very proud of him for what he has done. But until we get a message from there about how he is, we are still tense about the child's condition," the neighbour said.
Another neighbour, who described Machchhar as a close resident of their housing society, said the community was praying for his recovery and sending strength to his family.
"All the strength to him. I am really praying for him and his family, especially his mother, father and brother. It is really nerve-wracking. We are praying that his reports become normal," the neighbour said.
Machchhar, who pursued an online management degree from Welingkar Institute here in 2007-08, also received high praise from the B-school.
Dr Pankaj Natu, Director, WeSchool, Welingkar Institute, described him as a "true hero in the skies".
"Your courage, discipline and dedication inspire us all. Proud to see a Welingkar alumnus soar so high," Natu said in a message.
