Smit Machchhar
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Smit Machchhar | |
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Smit Machchhar is an Indian commercial airline captain who flies for Flydubai. On 30 September 2026 he was captain of Flydubai Flight 1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv when his co-pilot stabbed him in the cockpit during what Israeli officials described as an apparent attempt to crash the aircraft. Despite serious wounds he resisted, unlocked the cockpit door, and helped passengers and crew overpower the attacker. The Boeing 737 then made an emergency landing at Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia. All passengers survived.[1][2][3]
According to reports, he is a former SpiceJet training captain with extensive Boeing 737 experience.[4][5]
Early life and background
[edit]Indian media have identified Machchhar as a Gujarati from Mumbai.[1][6]
Career
[edit]Machchhar has more than 13 years of commercial flying experience and about 9,750 hours on Boeing 737-800 and 737 MAX 8/9 aircraft, including more than 6,400 hours as pilot-in-command.[4][7]
He joined SpiceJet in June 2011 and spent roughly 11 years with the Indian carrier. There he served as a senior commander and later as a line training captain, conducting line training, pilot checks, and mentoring.[7][8]
In June 2022, he joined Flydubai as a direct-entry captain, based in Dubai.[7][9]
Flydubai Flight 1073
[edit]On 30 September 2026, Machchhar commanded Flydubai Flight FZ1073, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 (registration A6-FKF) carrying roughly 174–180 people from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv. About two hours into the flight, the aircraft entered a rapid descent of more than 14,000–17,000 feet in under two minutes and transmitted emergency codes 7700 and 7500, meaning a general emergency and an aircraft hijacking, respectively.[2][10][11]
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later said one pilot stabbed the other and "apparently tried to crash the plane". The attacker was identified as the Omani co-pilot. Machchhar was seriously injured but fought back, opened the cockpit door, and enabled passengers and crew to subdue the assailant. Other pilots traveling as passengers helped stabilize the aircraft.[3][2][1][12]
The flight diverted to Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Both pilots were hospitalized. The Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia said Machchhar was receiving treatment in Tabuk and was reported to be in stable condition; he underwent surgery there. Israeli officials had initially misidentified him as an Emirati.[13] Passengers were later flown on to Israel on a replacement Flydubai aircraft after Saudi Arabia refused an Israeli request to collect them.[10] Flydubai suspended services to and from Israel pending investigation. Israeli officials called the episode an attempted terrorist attack and began a formal inquiry. The co-pilot was questioned by Saudi authorities, Israeli security agencies opened a joint investigation, and Netanyahu ordered stricter vetting of foreign pilots on flights carrying Israelis.[10][12][2][3][14]
Netanyahu publicly named Machchhar a "true hero", stating that he saved 174 lives. The Indian Embassy also described him as brave.[3][2][13]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 3 Zanger-Shamir, Maya (30 September 2026). "Flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar reportedly aided rescue efforts while wounded". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Flydubai latest: Hero passenger says he put attacker in a chokehold after cockpit struggle". CNN. 30 September 2026. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "'Hero' pilot stabbed by other pilot on Israel-bound plane, Israeli PM says". BBC News. 30 September 2026. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
- 1 2 "Who is Smit Machchhar? Indian captain who fought flydubai co-pilot to land flight safely". The Financial Express. 30 September 2026. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
- ↑ Jose, Sachin (30 September 2026). "Who is Smit Machchhar? Hero Indian flydubai captain was former SpiceJet pilot, has 9,750 flying hours on Boeing aircraft". The Week. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
- ↑ "Gujarat Pilot Smit Machchhar Stops Co-Pilot From Taking Control, Prevents Flydubai Flight From Crashing". Vibes of India. 30 September 2026. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Who Is Smit Machchhar, Indian Pilot Who Fended Off Omani Co-Pilot Aboard Flydubai Flight". News18. 30 September 2026. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
- ↑ "Who is Smit Machchhar, flydubai pilot involved in mid-air cockpit incident". India.com. 30 September 2026. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
- ↑ "Meet Smit Machchhar, Flydubai captain stabbed in cockpit who fought to save jet". Ynetnews. 30 September 2026. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
- 1 2 3 Blumenthal, Itay (30 September 2026). "אחרי שעות מורטות עצבים: נוסעי "פליי דובאי" שבו ארצה". Kan News (in Hebrew).
- ↑ "Copilot subdued after stabbing pilot in alleged attempt to crash plane full of Israelis". The Times of Israel. 30 September 2026. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
- 1 2 "ركاب رحلة "فلاي دبي" يصلون تل أبيب ونتنياهو يلتقيهم في المطار". BBC News Arabic (in Arabic). 30 September 2026.
- 1 2 "Flydubai Pilot Smit Machchhar Undergoes Surgery After Cockpit Stabbing". i24NEWS. 30 September 2026.
- ↑ "Flydubai pilot stabbed in attempt to down Israel-bound plane". Deutsche Welle. 30 September 2026. Retrieved 30 September 2026.