Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian pilot, is being hailed as a hero following his efforts to repel a violent attack by his co-pilot aboard a Flydubai flight. The incident occurred as the aircraft, carrying more than 170 people, was en route to Tel Aviv. During the struggle, Machchhar was stabbed while working to prevent what has been described as an apparent hijacking attempt. With blood splashed across the cockpit and the seriously wounded pilot lying on the floor, his pained face partially covered with a mask, images show showed a gruesome scene onboard following the attack.
As the conflict broke out, the cockpit door was opened, allowing passengers to intervene and subdue the assailant. During the chaos, the plane plummeted 17,400 feet in under two minutes, terrifying those on board. One passenger later recounted their fear, stating they were certain they would die. Once the attacker was restrained, the flight was diverted to Saudi Arabia and landed safely by two standby pilots who were among the passengers. During which the plane plummeted 17,400 feet in less than 120 seconds, passengers who were on flight FZ1073 described those chaotic moments. One told: “I was just sure I was going to die.”.
Machchhar, a 39-year-old father of two, sustained serious injuries, including significant blood loss. Shota Musaev, a dentist and passenger who provided emergency medical assistance, noted that the captain had lost consciousness and faced a life-threatening drop in blood pressure. The pilot received medical treatment in Saudi Arabia before being transported to the United Arab Emirates. Parag Shah, a representative for Mumbai’s Ghatkopar East suburb where the pilot’s family resides, confirmed that Machchhar was out of danger following surgery.
The pilot’s heroism has garnered international attention, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stating that Machchhar’s intervention prevented a potential disaster. In Mumbai, supporters gathered in Ghatkopar East, carrying Indian flags and photographs of the captain to celebrate his actions. Kaushik Gandhi, a neighbor of the pilot’s parents, described Machchhar as a “first class” gentleman who was always smiling, while former neighbor Jinat Shah remembered him as a soft-spoken and kind-hearted individual. His bravery “managed to prevent a 9/11 disaster,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told.
Machchhar’s path to aviation was not a lifelong ambition. After completing a course in textile engineering, he pursued flight training in Dunedin, New Zealand, around age 19. His former instructor, Philip Kean, described him as a jovial, hardworking student who consistently maintained a positive attitude. Before his tenure at Flydubai, Machchhar served 15 years in aviation, including an 11-year stint with the Indian carrier SpiceJet, where he reached the rank of Senior Commander.
Throughout his career, Machchhar had previously encountered unusual mid-air challenges, including overseeing an emergency delivery when a passenger went into labor unexpectedly. During that incident, he and his co-pilot successfully identified a nearby airfield to ensure a safe landing for both mother and child. Reflecting on his profession in a 2025 interview, Machchhar simply described his experience as a pilot as feeling “blessed.”
In the aftermath of the Flydubai incident, news outlets and public figures across India have lauded his courage. One television anchor noted that the safety of the 166 Israeli passengers on the flight was entirely due to the actions of the Indian captain. As his recovery continues, the pilot remains a figure of national pride, with supporters in his hometown expressing their profound gratitude for his intervention. “Our entire India should be proud … he has brought glory to India’s name everywhere in the world,” Gandhi told, adding he was “thumping (his) chest” in pride. “It is a very precious moment and proud moment for a country like us that we have been through, you know, lot of hustles,” Rahul Pandey, one of those gathered there, told.
