Indian pilot Smit Machchhar has been identified as the captain of a flydubai flight who was injured after his co-pilot allegedly attacked him during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Machchhar, who underwent surgery following the incident, is in stable condition.
The incident took place aboard a flydubai Boeing 737 carrying 174 people. According to reports, the co-pilot allegedly stabbed Machchhar before passengers and crew members intervened. The aircraft subsequently landed safely.
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Machchhar has since been praised by Indian, Israeli and US leaders for his actions during the emergency.
Who is Smit Machchhar?
Machchhar has been working as a captain with flydubai since June 2022, according to his LinkedIn profile. His profile lists around 9,750 hours of flying experience on Boeing 737-800 and 737 MAX 8 and 9 aircraft.
Before joining flydubai, Machchhar spent 11 years with SpiceJet in Mumbai. He served as a senior commander and later became a line training captain in November 2020, a position in which he trained and assessed other pilots.
His profile also states that he joined flydubai as a direct-entry captain, meaning he was recruited into the captain’s role after already holding captain experience with another airline. He had more than 6,400 hours as a pilot-in-command during his time at SpiceJet.
Machchhar is originally from Ghatkopar East in Mumbai and was living in Dubai because of his work, according to people aware of the matter.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the Welingkar Institute of Management, which he completed between June 2007 and April 2008. His LinkedIn profile does not provide details about where he received his flight training.
Machchhar’s brother is also a pilot with Akasa Air, according to an earlier Hindustan Times report.
What happened on the flight?
The co-pilot allegedly attacked Machchhar while the aircraft was in flight. Despite suffering serious injuries, Machchhar was able to open the cockpit door and raise an alarm, according to accounts of the incident.
Passengers and crew members then helped overpower the attacker. The aircraft landed safely, preventing what could have become a serious aviation emergency.
The other pilot was arrested by Saudi authorities, while investigations into the circumstances and motive behind the incident are continuing.
Leaders praise Indian pilot
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Machchhar as a “hero” and praised his courage despite being seriously injured.
“Captain Smit Machchhar is a HERO,” Modi said in a post on X, adding that his actions helped protect the lives of others and avert a major tragedy.
US President Donald Trump also referred to Machchhar as a hero while discussing the incident.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu separately called Machchhar a “true hero”. Netanyahu said the captain fought back despite being stabbed, opened the cockpit door and helped enable passengers and crew to overpower the attacker.
Machchhar remains hospitalised and stable as authorities continue investigating the incident.
Excerpt
Indian pilot Smit Machchhar has been praised by world leaders after allegedly being stabbed by his co-pilot during a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Here is what is known about the experienced captain and the incident.
