New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): Indian pilot Smit Machchhar has drawn international attention after an alleged cockpit attack on a flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Machchhar, who was reportedly injured during the incident, has been credited by political leaders with helping prevent a potentially serious aviation disaster.
According to reports, Machchhar was stabbed by the flight’s co-pilot during the incident. Despite being injured, he is reported to have managed to respond to the situation and raise an alarm, allowing passengers and crew to intervene.
Machchhar subsequently underwent surgery and was reported to be in stable condition. The co-pilot was taken into custody by Saudi authorities, although authorities had not publicly established a motive at the time of the reports.
Machchhar’s aviation career
Machchhar has been a captain with flydubai since June 2022 and flies Boeing 737 aircraft, according to information listed on his LinkedIn profile.
His profile indicates that he has accumulated about 9,750 hours flying Boeing 737-800 and 737 MAX 8 and 9 aircraft. Before moving to flydubai, he spent around 11 years with SpiceJet in Mumbai.
During his time at SpiceJet, Machchhar served as a senior commander before becoming a line training captain in 2020. The position involved training and evaluating other pilots.
He joined flydubai as a direct-entry captain, a route through which experienced pilots can move to another airline while retaining their captain status. His professional profile also lists more than 6,400 hours as a pilot-in-command during his time with SpiceJet.
Machchhar holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the Welingkar Institute of Management, which he completed in 2008. His LinkedIn profile does not provide details about where he received his flight training.
Reports have also said that Machchhar’s brother works as a pilot for Akasa Air.
Leaders praise injured pilot
News of the incident prompted praise from leaders in India, Israel and the United States.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Machchhar as a hero, saying the pilot demonstrated courage while seriously injured and helped protect the lives of those aboard the aircraft.
US President Donald Trump also praised the pilot while recounting what he had been told about the incident. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu similarly described Machchhar as a hero and said his actions helped prevent a major tragedy.
Netanyahu said Machchhar resisted the attacker, managed to open the cockpit door and enabled passengers and crew to intervene. The Israeli prime minister also wished the captain a full and speedy recovery.
While officials have publicly praised Machchhar’s actions, investigations into the incident remain ongoing. Authorities are expected to establish the sequence of events inside the cockpit and determine the circumstances and motive behind the alleged attack.
For now, Machchhar’s recovery remains the immediate focus as investigators continue examining an incident that placed passengers and crew aboard the flight in a potentially dangerous situation.
