Draft:Smit Machchhar (pilot)
Smit Machchhar | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Commercial airline pilot |
| Years active | 2011–present |
| Employer | flydubai |
| Known for | Captain of flydubai Flight FZ1073 during the 2026 cockpit incident |
Smit Machchhar is an Indian commercial airline pilot who serves as a captain with flydubai. He previously worked for SpiceJet, where he served as a senior commander and line training captain.[1]
Machchhar received international media attention following an incident aboard flydubai Flight FZ1073 on 30 September 2026, when he was seriously injured during an altercation in the cockpit. Despite his injuries, he opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to enter and restrain the other pilot. The aircraft subsequently made an emergency landing at Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.[2]
Early life and education
[edit]Machchhar is from Mumbai, India. Before entering aviation, he had intended to become involved in his family's textile business and pursued studies related to textiles and management. According to Reuters, his interest in becoming a pilot developed after he attended an aviation seminar while studying management.[3]
He later undertook flight training in New Zealand. The Associated Press reported that he trained at Mainland Air in Dunedin beginning in 2008.[4]
Aviation career
[edit]Machchhar began his commercial aviation career with SpiceJet in 2011. During his tenure with the airline, he progressed to senior commander and later worked as a line training captain.[5]
After approximately eleven years with SpiceJet, he joined flydubai in 2022 as a captain. Reuters reported that by 2026 he had accumulated nearly 9,750 hours of flying experience during approximately 15 years in commercial aviation.[3]
Machchhar has flown aircraft in the Boeing 737 family during his commercial aviation career.[6]
Flight FZ1073 incident
[edit]On 30 September 2026, Machchhar was the captain of flydubai Flight FZ1073, a Boeing 737 MAX operating from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion Airport in Israel. The aircraft was carrying 174 people.[7]
During the flight, a confrontation occurred between Machchhar and the co-pilot. Israeli officials said the co-pilot stabbed the captain and apparently attempted to take control of the aircraft. flydubai stated that the circumstances and motive behind the incident remained under formal investigation.[8]
Flight-tracking data showed that the aircraft descended rapidly from approximately 34,000 feet to around 16,600 feet. The aircraft transmitted the emergency transponder code 7700, followed by code 7500, which is used to indicate unlawful interference.[9]
Despite being seriously injured, Machchhar managed to release the cockpit door. Passengers and crew members then entered the cockpit and restrained the other pilot.[4][10]
According to flydubai, on-duty crew members who were travelling aboard the aircraft secured the plane and diverted it to Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely. Machchhar was taken to hospital for treatment.[11]
The Associated Press subsequently reported that Machchhar was in stable condition following treatment.[4]
Recognition
[edit]Following the incident, Machchhar's actions received public recognition in India and internationally. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised his courage and response to the incident, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also acknowledged the actions of Machchhar, the crew and passengers aboard the aircraft.[12]
References
[edit]- ↑ "From textile engineering to cockpit hero: Indian pilot wins praise after flydubai drama". Reuters. 1 October 2026.
- ↑ "An Indian airline captain is hailed as a hero after a cockpit attack on a FlyDubai flight". Associated Press. 1 October 2026.
- 1 2 Ahmed, Aftab; Sharma, Saurabh (1 October 2026). "From textile engineering to cockpit hero: Indian pilot wins praise after flydubai drama". Reuters. Retrieved 1 October 2026.
- 1 2 3 Saaliq, Sheikh; Maqbool, Rafiq (1 October 2026). "An Indian airline captain is hailed as a hero after a cockpit attack on a FlyDubai flight". Associated Press. Retrieved 1 October 2026.
- ↑ Sharma, Sukalp (1 October 2026). "Flydubai pilot who fought off co-pilot, got stabbed, saved plane was Indian". The Indian Express. Retrieved 1 October 2026.
- ↑ Sharma, Sukalp (1 October 2026). "Flydubai pilot who fought off co-pilot, got stabbed, saved plane was Indian". The Indian Express. Retrieved 1 October 2026.
- ↑ "Pilot stabs fellow pilot on flight to Israel before passengers intervene to stop attack". Associated Press. 30 September 2026. Retrieved 1 October 2026.
- ↑ Sharma, Sukalp (1 October 2026). "Flydubai pilot who fought off co-pilot, got stabbed, saved plane was Indian". The Indian Express. Retrieved 1 October 2026.
- ↑ Sharma, Sukalp (1 October 2026). "Flydubai pilot who fought off co-pilot, got stabbed, saved plane was Indian". The Indian Express. Retrieved 1 October 2026.
- ↑ "Passengers foil bid to crash Dubai-Tel Aviv flight, Israel says, after co-pilot stabs pilot". Reuters. 30 September 2026. Retrieved 1 October 2026.
- ↑ Sharma, Sukalp (1 October 2026). "Flydubai pilot who fought off co-pilot, got stabbed, saved plane was Indian". The Indian Express. Retrieved 1 October 2026.
- ↑ "Netanyahu and Modi hail Indian flydubai pilot as hero". Reuters. 1 October 2026. Retrieved 1 October 2026.