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Who Is Captain Smit Machchhar? The Flydubai “Hero” Indian Pilot Who Helped Save 174 Lives

A flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was heading towards what should have been a routine landing. Instead, it became a terrifying mid-air emergency after a violent confrontation broke out inside the cockpit. At the centre of the incident was Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar. He was reportedly stabbed by his co-pilot during the struggle but managed to fight back and help open the cockpit door. Passengers and crew then intervened, while other pilots on board eventually took control of the aircraft.

The Boeing 737 was diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia and landed safely. All 174 passengers survived the incident. Captain Machchhar was injured and taken to a hospital in Saudi Arabia, where he is recovering.

 

Who Is Captain Smit Machchhar?

Captain Smit Machchhar is an Indian commercial pilot with more than 13 years of experience flying Boeing 737 aircraft. He has worked with flydubai for around four years. Before joining the UAE-based airline, he spent about a decade with Indian low-cost carrier SpiceJet.

According to his LinkedIn profile and reports citing his professional background, Machchhar has logged more than 9,750 flying hours. He also worked extensively as a line training captain, a role that involves training and assessing pilots during operational flying.

Machchhar joined SpiceJet in 2011 and held several positions during his time with the airline, including senior commander and line training captain. In June 2022, he left SpiceJet and joined flydubai as a direct-entry captain. His career in aviation, however, was not something he had planned from childhood.

 

He Was Preparing For A Different Career

Machchhar had initially been connected to his family’s textile business. After school, he joined a textile engineering course linked to the family business. He later decided to pursue management. It was during his management course that he attended an aviation seminar. He was 19 at the time. That experience changed the direction of his career.

He decided that he wanted to become a pilot. His decision came with concerns from his family. His mother was reportedly scared about the risks involved, while his father took the decision more calmly. Machchhar eventually travelled to New Zealand for his pilot training. Speaking on the podcast Bonafide Banter with Zalak Mehta, he said his training cost around Rs 16 lakh to Rs 17 lakh. Aviation then became his profession. More than a decade later, his experience in the cockpit would become crucial during one of the most serious emergencies of his career.

 

What Happened On Flydubai Flight FZ1073?

Flight FZ1073 was travelling from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion International Airport on Wednesday when an altercation broke out on the flight deck. According to flydubai, an incident occurred between the pilots. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later said that one pilot had allegedly attempted to sabotage the aircraft and crash it.

“During the flight, as the aircraft was approaching Israel, one of the pilots stabbed the other pilot and attempted to crash the plane with everyone on board,” he said. Captain Machchhar was reportedly stabbed during the confrontation. Despite being injured, he fought back. Reports say he managed to open the cockpit door, allowing a crew member and passenger to enter and help overpower the other pilot.

The aircraft had been cruising at around 34,000 feet when it suddenly began losing altitude. Data cited by NDTV showed the plane dropping more than 14,000 feet in a very short period. Other tracking reports put the overall descent at more than 17,000 feet during the emergency.

 

Passengers And Crew Helped Regain Control

The incident did not involve Captain Machchhar alone. Passenger intervention also played an important role. According to reports, once the cockpit door was opened, passengers and crew members helped subdue the co-pilot. There were also additional flydubai pilots on board who were able to take over and help land the aircraft safely.

The aircraft was diverted to Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia. It landed safely, bringing an end to the emergency. The flight was carrying 174 passengers, including 27 children, according to the information provided by authorities and reports. Passengers included people from Israel, India and the UAE, while the United States said four passengers were American citizens.

 

Captain Machchhar Injured But Stable

Captain Machchhar suffered injuries during the cockpit confrontation and was taken to a hospital in Tabuk. Reuters reported that he underwent surgery and was in stable condition, with his injuries described as non-life-threatening. Indian authorities have also been in contact with Saudi and UAE officials regarding his treatment and recovery.

Meanwhile, the co-pilot was taken into Saudi custody for questioning. The motive behind the alleged attack remains unclear, and investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the incident. Flydubai has also suspended its flights to and from Israel while the investigation continues.

 

PM Modi And Netanyahu Praise The Indian Pilot

Captain Machchhar’s actions have received recognition from both India and Israel. Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the Indian pilot after the incident and described him as a hero.

“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,” Modi wrote on X.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also praised Machchhar’s actions. Reuters reported that Netanyahu hailed the Indian pilot after the incident and credited him with helping prevent a major aviation disaster. The praise has also come from passengers who were on the aircraft. Footage from inside the plane showed passengers reassuring the injured pilot and telling him, “You saved the plane, you did well.”

 

A Career That Suddenly Came Into The Spotlight

Captain Smit Machchhar had spent years building a career in commercial aviation. He had flown thousands of hours, trained other pilots and worked his way from SpiceJet to flydubai. He was not expecting international attention when he boarded Flight FZ1073. But during an extraordinary emergency at 34,000 feet, his experience and actions became an important part of the sequence that helped bring the aircraft safely to the ground.

The investigation into what happened inside the cockpit is still underway. Several details, including the exact motive behind the co-pilot’s actions, remain under investigation. For now, Captain Machchhar remains in a Saudi hospital recovering from his injuries. His name has become closely associated with the dramatic events aboard FZ1073, while the role played by passengers, crew and other pilots also remains an important part of how all 174 people on board survived the ordeal.

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Praneet Samaiya: Entrepreneur, Movie Critic, Film Trade Analyst, Cricket Analyst, Content Creator
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