Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar has received international praise after a dramatic cockpit emergency on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The Boeing 737 was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after a confrontation involving the co-pilot.
Pilot Injured During Mid-Air Emergency
According to Israeli officials cited by Reuters, Machchhar was stabbed by his co-pilot during the flight. Despite being seriously injured, he managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to enter and help overpower the attacker.
The aircraft had reportedly plunged nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds during the incident. Other Flydubai pilots who were travelling on the aircraft subsequently helped land the plane safely in Tabuk.
From Textile Engineering to Aviation
Machchhar’s journey to aviation was not a conventional one. He initially planned to pursue a career connected to his family’s textile business before developing an interest in flying during his studies.
He later trained as a pilot and spent more than a decade with SpiceJet before joining Flydubai in 2022. His professional profile lists nearly 9,750 hours of Boeing 737 flying experience.
Leaders Praise His Actions
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly praised Machchhar following the incident. The Indian Embassy in Riyadh said the injured pilot was receiving treatment and was in stable condition.
The circumstances and motive behind the cockpit attack remain under investigation, while Flydubai has urged caution against speculation about the incident.