Captain Smit Machchhar, the Mumbai-born pilot who is being hailed for helping avert a mid-air tragedy aboard a Flydubai flight, never initially planned to become a pilot. In fact, aviation was nowhere in his childhood dreams. Want to know more about his journey? Read on!
Who Is Smit Machchhar?
In a 2025 podcast with Zalak Mehta, Smit Machchhar revealed that he initially pursued textile engineering with plans to join his family’s textile business. However, an aviation seminar he attended during his management studies changed the course of his career. Recalling the experience, Machchhar said that this was when he truly discovered aviation and developed an interest in flying.
His decision to pursue aviation came as a surprise to his family. While his mother was reportedly concerned about his choice, his father encouraged him to explore the new career path. Machchhar eventually travelled to New Zealand for pilot training, marking a major step for someone who had never travelled outside India before.
He went on to build a career spanning more than 13 years, flying Boeing 737 aircraft. Machchhar spent over a decade with SpiceJet, where he served as a senior commander and line training captain, before joining Flydubai as a direct-entry captain in June 2022. He has logged around 9,750 hours of flying experience.
His years in the cockpit have also shaped his approach to safety and handling emergencies. During the podcast, Machchhar recalled a medical emergency involving a pregnant passenger who went into premature labour during a flight. He coordinated a diversion and ensured medical assistance was ready when the aircraft landed.
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‘Hero’ Smit Machchhar Praised By PM Narendra Modi
Machchhar’s composure was put to an extraordinary test on September 30, when he was piloting Flydubai Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv. According to reports, Machchhar was allegedly attacked and stabbed by his co-pilot during the flight. Despite sustaining serious injuries, he managed to activate the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to enter and overpower the attacker.
The aircraft, carrying 174 people, was subsequently diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely. Machchhar was later taken to hospital for treatment.
Following the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Machchhar’s courage, calling him a “hero” and saying his “valour helped save hundreds of lives and avert a great tragedy”.
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From changing career paths to discovering aviation at 19 and later finding himself at the centre of an extraordinary in-flight emergency, Machchhar’s journey is one of courage, resilience and dedication. His actions have earned widespread praise, with many celebrating the pilot for helping protect the lives of everyone on board.
Well, this is such an inspiring story and we all are very proud of him.
Cover Image Courtesy: YouTube/ Zalak Mehta, Pexels/Ethan Sarkar
FAQs
Did the flydubai pilot survive?
Yes, the stabbed pilot, Captain Smit Machchhar, survived the attack and was reported to be in stable condition at a hospital in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
What happened with Flydubai?
A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia on September 30, 2026, after the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain in an apparent attempt to crash the aircraft.
Who is Smit Machchhar?
Captain Smit Machchhar is an Indian pilot from Mumbai who saved 174 lives on September 30, 2026, by fighting off a co-pilot who attacked him mid-air on a flydubai flight.
