‘Captain Smit Machchhar’ X Account Replies to PM Modi, Netanyahu, But Identity Remains Unverified

A newly created X account claiming to be Captain Smit Machchhar replies to PM Modi, Netanyahu after flydubai flight FZ1073 incident, but its authenticity remains unconfirmed.

Account Emerges After Pilot Gains Global Attention

The account, using the handle @CaptSmitMachchh and the display name “Captain Smit Machchhar”, carries a blue checkmark and the bio “SAVIOUR”. However, its profile states that it joined X in October 2026, shortly after Machchhar became widely known following the September 30 incident.

At the time the profile was captured, it had only four posts, followed no accounts and had around 3,104 followers. Several posts appear to be written in Machchhar’s name, thanking Indians, passengers and crew for their support.

The account also posted a response thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his message praising Captain Smit Machchhar’s courage.

The account separately posted a message thanking Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his praise following the flydubai FZ1073 incident.

There is, however, no independent confirmation that Machchhar himself created or operates the account.

Blue Tick Does Not Confirm Captain's Identity

The blue checkmark beside the account name also does not establish that it belongs to the pilot.

According to X's current help documentation, a blue checkmark indicates an active X Premium subscription and that the account meets the platform's eligibility requirements. It does not mean that the account's identity has been independently verified. X says Premium subscribers do not undergo the previous verification process based on being notable and authentic.

X does offer a separate ID-verification process, but the presence of a standard blue checkmark alone is therefore not sufficient to establish that the person operating the account is Captain Machchhar.

No Public Link Established With Captain's Known Profiles

Public reports about Machchhar's professional background have referred to his LinkedIn profile rather than the newly created X handle.

The Mumbai-based Gujarati has more than 13 years of commercial flying experience, spent more than 11 years with SpiceJet and joined flydubai as a captain in June 2022. His LinkedIn profile lists experience flying Boeing 737 aircraft and more than 9,500 hours of flying.

A review of publicly available reporting has not established @CaptSmitMachchh as an official social-media account belonging to Machchhar.

Account Appears While Pilot Is Recovering in Hospital

While the Indian Embassy in Riyadh said that said that Indian Pilot was admitted to a hospital in Tabuk and was receiving necessary medical treatment. It added that while a full update on his health was awaited, he was reported to be in stable condition.

The timing alone does not establish that the account is fraudulent. But the account's recent creation, limited activity and lack of an established connection to Machchhar provide reasons to treat its posts cautiously.

Warning Signs Around the Account

Several details warrant caution before treating posts from @CaptSmitMachchh as statements from Machchhar:

• The account says it joined X in October 2026, and shortly after the flydubai incident.
• The account describes itself as a “Commentary Account” in its bio.
• It had only four posts when the profile was captured.
• It followed zero accounts.
• The blue checkmark confirms an X Premium subscription and eligibility, but not the account holder's identity.

Until Machchhar, his family, flydubai or another authoritative source directly confirms the account, posts from @CaptSmitMachchh should be treated as unverified.

At present, the account is best described as a suspected impersonation profile rather than Captain Smit Machchhar's confirmed official X account.