PM Modi, Trump laud Smit Machchhar as airplane captain says ‘when things are going wrong, you need them’ for cabin crew
(L) Smit Machchhar’s LinkedIn profile picture; (R) Image shared by Netanyahu office @IsraeliPM
New Delhi: Indian captain Smit Machchhar is being hailed as a hero after he fought back against his co-pilot who allegedly stabbed him and attempted to take control of a flydubai aircraft carrying 174 people, including 27 children. Machchhar was injured in the cockpit struggle but managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to overpower the attacker. The Indian embassy in Riyadh said he is receiving treatment at a hospital in Tabuk and is in stable condition.
Long before the latest incident, Machchhar had spoken about the responsibility that comes with working on board an aircraft, particularly the role of crew members when an emergency unfolds. Speaking on the Bona fide Banter podcast around a year ago, he explained why trained cabin crew can be crucial when passengers suddenly need help.
“When things are going wrong, you need them,” Machchhar said. He explained that they are trained in safety procedures, emergency response and first aid, and can provide assistance when something goes wrong during a flight.
His remarks have gained fresh attention after the flydubai emergency, where passengers and crew members intervened after Machchhar opened the cockpit door during the struggle. The aircraft was eventually diverted to Saudi Arabia and landed safely.
During the podcast, Machchhar also shared experiences from his years of flying, including a passenger suffering breathing difficulties and an incident in which a woman went into labour during a flight. He recalled how pilots and cabin crew worked together, including preparing for a possible diversion and arranging medical assistance after landing.
He also spoke about how his approach to passengers had evolved with experience. Machchhar said he had learned over the years that communicating with passengers and keeping them engaged can make a flight easier for everyone.
When asked to describe being a pilot in one word, Machchhar answered “Blessed.”
From textile engineering to the cockpit
After school, he initially joined a textile engineering course connected to his family’s business before moving towards a management course. It was during his management studies that he attended an aviation seminar and discovered his interest in flying.
He later trained in New Zealand before beginning his commercial flying career. According to his LinkedIn profile, Machchhar joined SpiceJet in June 2011 and spent around 11 years with the airline, serving in roles including senior commander and line training captain.
In June 2022, he left SpiceJet and joined flydubai as a captain. His profile lists more than 13 years of commercial flying experience on the Boeing 737 fleet and around 9,750 flying hours.
What happened aboard Flight FZ1073
Flydubai Flight FZ1073 was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday when a violent confrontation broke out in the cockpit. The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said one of the pilots stabbed the other and allegedly attempted to crash the aircraft.
The aircraft suffered a sudden loss of altitude during the struggle. A passenger and crew members entered the cockpit and helped restrain the attacker, while other pilots on board helped stabilize the aircraft.
The Boeing 737 MAX 8 was diverted to Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia and landed safely. The passengers were later flown to Israel on a replacement flydubai aircraft.
Netanyahu, Modi praise Indian captain
Netanyahu praised Machchhar after the incident, saying the injured captain fought back, resisted the attacker and opened the cockpit door, enabling passengers and crew to overpower him. Netanyahu described Machchhar as a “true hero” and said his actions helped prevent a catastrophic mid-air disaster.
Netanyahu’s office also shared an image of the prime minister meeting Yaniv, the passenger who entered the cockpit during the emergency, at Ben-Gurion International Airport. Yaniv was among those who helped restrain the attacker after gaining access to the flight deck.
The prime minister, Narendra Modi, also praised Machchhar, calling him a hero and saying that despite being seriously injured, he showed courage and determination to protect the lives of others. The United States president, Donald Trump, also lauded the Indian pilot following the event.
The embassy of India in Saudi Arabia is also in touch over Machchhar’s condition and the government of India has supported him and his family.
