Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian pilot from Mumbai, is at the centre of a serious in-flight emergency after a fellow pilot allegedly attacked him inside the cockpit of a flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
Machchhar was seriously injured in the attack. Despite losing a large amount of blood, he managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to enter and overpower the attacker. The Boeing 737 was eventually diverted and landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Who is Smit Machchhar?
Machchhar is a Mumbai-born Indian commercial pilot with more than 13 years of flying experience. Before joining flydubai, he spent more than 11 years with Indian airline SpiceJet.
He joined SpiceJet in June 2011 and later became a senior commander. From 2020, he also worked as a Line Training Captain, a role that involved training and assessing other pilots.
His professional profile lists around 9,750 hours of experience on Boeing 737 aircraft, including the Boeing 737-800 and Boeing 737 MAX. More than 6,400 of those hours were reportedly completed as pilot-in-command during his SpiceJet career.
Machchhar joined flydubai in June 2022 as a direct-entry captain, meaning he joined the airline at captain level based on his previous flying experience. He has been based in Dubai and has flown the airline's Boeing 737 fleet.
Aviation was not originally his planned career. Machchhar had initially been preparing to enter his family's textile business. During his studies in Mumbai, an aviation seminar at around the age of 19 changed his career direction. He subsequently trained in New Zealand before beginning his commercial flying career.
What happened on the Dubai-Tel Aviv flight?
The incident happened on flydubai Flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30.
According to officials and passenger accounts, a violent confrontation broke out inside the cockpit between Machchhar and his fellow pilot. The co-pilot, identified as an Omani national, allegedly stabbed Machchhar and then attempted to take control of the aircraft.
The exact motive remains under investigation. Flydubai has confirmed that an incident occurred during the flight but has urged people not to speculate about its cause until authorities complete their investigation.
During the confrontation, the aircraft suddenly lost a huge amount of altitude. Flight data indicated that it dropped by nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds.
The situation was particularly dangerous because the struggle was taking place inside the cockpit, where the aircraft's primary flight controls are located.
How did Machchhar help save the passengers?
Despite being badly injured, Machchhar managed to reach the cockpit-door release and open it.
This allowed passengers and crew members to enter the cockpit. They found Machchhar injured and the other pilot still inside. Several passengers helped restrain the attacker.
Among those who intervened was Yaniv Hayoun, a passenger who helped take control of the aircraft. Dentist Dr Shota Musaev also rushed to the cockpit and assisted Machchhar after finding him seriously injured.
Musaev described Machchhar as having suffered multiple cuts and losing a significant amount of blood. His condition deteriorated rapidly and he eventually lost consciousness.
Other people inside the cockpit also helped restrain the attacker. Passengers used available items, including headphone cords and plastic zip ties, to secure him.
The people who intervened also included off-duty pilots who happened to be travelling on the flight. They helped regain control of the aircraft and stabilise its flight path.
The plane was then diverted to Tabuk in north-western Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.
Machchhar was taken to hospital for treatment and underwent surgery. Indian officials later said he was in stable condition.
What happened to the attacker?
The other pilot was taken into custody by Saudi authorities, according to reports. He has been identified as an Omani national.
However, the circumstances surrounding the attack, including the motive and the events leading up to the confrontation, remain under investigation.
Flydubai has said that authorities are investigating the incident and has urged people to avoid speculation until the facts are established.
Why Machchhar's actions mattered
The aircraft was carrying 174 people, and everyone on board survived the incident.
The aircraft's rapid descent made the situation particularly dangerous. The sudden loss of altitude happened while a violent struggle was taking place inside the cockpit.
Machchhar's ability to open the cockpit door despite his injuries allowed other people to enter and intervene. Passengers helped restrain the attacker, medical assistance was provided to the injured captain, and off-duty pilots helped stabilise the aircraft.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi publicly praised Machchhar, describing him as a hero and saying that his courage helped save hundreds of lives.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also praised Machchhar and the passengers who intervened during the emergency.
Machchhar remains under treatment in Saudi Arabia. The investigation into why the cockpit confrontation happened, how the attack unfolded and what caused the aircraft's rapid descent is continuing.
