Who Is the Indian Flydubai Captain Who Saved 174 Lives?

01/10/2026

NEW DELHI Oct 1: Indian expatriate pilot Captain Smit Machchhar has been hailed as a hero after he was injured while confronting a passenger during a cockpit incident aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30.

Machchhar, a Flydubai captain, was injured during the altercation before the aircraft was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Machchhar fought back against the attacker, opened the cockpit door and helped enable passengers and crew to overpower the suspect. Netanyahu said the captain's actions helped prevent what he described as a potentially catastrophic mid-air disaster.

US President Donald Trump also praised Machchhar as a "hero", saying the pilot was in "very bad shape" but had the presence of mind to help prevent a major disaster. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India was "proud of him."

Receiving treatment in Saudi Arabia

The Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General of India in Jeddah confirmed that Machchhar was injured and is receiving treatment at a hospital in Tabuk.

The Indian Embassy said it was closely following his medical condition and was in contact with his family. Initial information indicated that he was stable and receiving necessary medical attention.

The embassy said it would continue to coordinate with the Saudi authorities and provide all possible assistance to Machchhar and his family.

Who is Captain Smit Machchhar?

According to his professional profile, Machchhar has served as a Flydubai captain since June 2022, having joined the Dubai-based airline as a direct-entry captain after more than a decade with India's SpiceJet.

He has more than 13 years of commercial flying experience, primarily on Boeing 737 aircraft, and has accumulated approximately 9,750 flying hours. His experience also includes serving as a line training captain.

In a podcast interview last year, Machchhar discussed his career, cockpit procedures and the importance of cooperation between flight crew and cabin staff.

He explained that pilots constantly monitor one another during flights and said maintaining focus in the cockpit is essential. He also emphasized the important role of cabin crew, particularly during emergencies, saying they are needed when "things are going wrong."

The incident remains under investigation, with authorities working to establish the circumstances and motive behind the cockpit attack.