Published : 01 Oct 2026, 12:37 PM
Updated : 01 Oct 2026, 12:37 PM
Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian national working for Dubai-based low-cost airline flydubai, is the pilot who fought off his co-pilot after the latter allegedly tried to sabotage the aircraft’s systems during a flight carrying 174 passengers, including 27 children.
Machchhar has worked for flydubai for four years, according to his LinkedIn profile. Before joining the airline, he spent 10 years with Indian low-cost carrier SpiceJet, Indian news outlet NDTV reports.
He has more than 13 years of commercial flying experience on Boeing 737 aircraft and has logged over 9,750 flight hours. He has also worked extensively as a line training captain.
Machchhar joined SpiceJet in 2011 and held several positions, including line training captain and senior commander.
In June 2022, he left SpiceJet and joined flydubai as a direct-entry captain.
From Textile Engineering to Aviation
Machchhar initially enrolled in a textile engineering course linked to his family business after completing school. He later switched to a management course.
It was during an aviation seminar as part of that course that he decided to pursue a career in flying. He was 19 at the time.
His mother was frightened by the decision, while his father took it calmly, Machchhar said in an interview on the podcast Bonafide Banter with Zalak Mehta.
He received his pilot training in New Zealand, with the course costing around Rs 1.6 million to Rs 1.7 million, he said.
Machchhar's brother has also recently joined flydubai.
What Happened on Flydubai Flight FZ 1073
Flight FZ 1073 was travelling from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion International Airport in Israel on Wednesday morning when an altercation broke out in the cockpit, according to flydubai.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video statement that one of the pilots tried to sabotage the aircraft while it was flying towards Israel.
According to Netanyahu, the pilot stabbed the other pilot and then attempted to crash the aircraft.
Machchhar fought back, but was injured in the attack.
A crew member and a passenger entered the cockpit and subdued the suspect, Netanyahu said.
During the struggle, the aircraft descended more than 17,400 feet in about two minutes. The crew member who entered the cockpit helped stabilise the aircraft, according to Netanyahu.
The plane was subsequently diverted and landed safely at an airport in Saudi Arabia.
All passengers were reported safe. The suspected attacker was arrested and is being questioned by Saudi authorities.
The Passengers
Israel's Foreign Ministry said passengers on the flight included citizens of Israel, India and the United Arab Emirates. The US State Department said four passengers were American citizens.
Flydubai said it would suspend flights to and from Israel while the incident is investigated.
Netanyahu said he had spoken with the president of the United Arab Emirates, who agreed that Israeli officials would participate in questioning the suspect.
The incident comes amid heightened security concerns in Israel, with the country approaching the anniversary of the Oct 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack, which triggered a series of wars in the region.
