The Flydubai captain who was stabbed during an apparent attempt by his co-pilot to seize control of a Tel Aviv-bound passenger jet has been identified as Captain Smit Machchhar, a veteran Indian aviator with roughly 15 years of commercial flying experience and nearly 10,000 documented hours aboard Boeing 737 aircraft.
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Machchhar was commanding flydubai Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday when a violent confrontation erupted inside the cockpit. Israeli officials say the Omani co-pilot stabbed Machchhar and apparently attempted to crash the Boeing 737 MAX 8 before passengers and other crew members managed to overpower him. Saudi authorities subsequently arrested the alleged attacker.
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Despite suffering serious stab wounds, Machchhar reportedly fought back and succeeded in opening the cockpit door, allowing others aboard the aircraft to intervene as the jet went into a terrifying uncontrolled descent.
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Flight-tracking data showed the aircraft suddenly plunging from its cruising altitude, losing more than 14,000 feet in approximately 37 seconds. Other tracking data indicated that during the broader sequence, the plane fell from roughly 34,000 feet to about 17,000 feet in under a minute while its speed surged dramatically.
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The aircraft initially transmitted the international 7700 general emergency code before later transmitting 7500, the transponder code used to signal a hijacking or unlawful interference aboard an aircraft.
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Machchhar, an Indian national based in Dubai, joined flydubai in June 2022 as a captain on the airline’s Boeing 737 fleet. Before moving to the Emirati carrier, he spent approximately 11 years flying for Indian low-cost airline SpiceJet.
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His professional record shows extensive experience with the Boeing 737-800 as well as the newer 737 MAX 8 and MAX 9 aircraft.
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Machchhar’s publicly available professional profile lists approximately 9,750 hours on Boeing 737 aircraft. Given the additional years he has spent flying since those figures were recorded, reports have estimated that he has now surpassed 10,000 total flight hours.
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During his years at SpiceJet, Machchhar accumulated more than 9,500 hours of flight time, including more than 6,400 hours as pilot in command.
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His responsibilities extended beyond simply flying scheduled passenger services. Machchhar served as a training captain, training and mentoring other pilots and conducting checks of flight crews.
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That extensive cockpit experience became critical Wednesday morning as the situation aboard FZ1073 deteriorated with extraordinary speed.
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Israeli passengers described a chaotic struggle after the captain was stabbed and the aircraft began dropping sharply.
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One of the Israelis who helped overpower the alleged attacker described how passengers improvised with whatever they could find inside the cabin.
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“We neutralized him, the terrorist, using headphones, and a doctor who was on the flight helped the main pilot and stabilized him. It was insane.”
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Passengers said two additional pilots who happened to be traveling aboard the flight were able to enter the cockpit after the attacker was subdued and assume control of the aircraft.
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The plane was diverted to Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia, where it made an emergency landing.
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The aircraft’s tail sustained damage during the rapid and severe descent.
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Machchhar was taken for medical treatment following the emergency landing. Reports indicated that he underwent surgery and was in stable condition.
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The passengers were subsequently brought back to Israel.
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Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu personally praised Machchhar following the incident, calling the Indian captain a “hero.”
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“My salute to the Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his extraordinary bravery,” Netanyahu said. “Despite being stabbed and seriously injured, he fought back, resisted, opened the cockpit door, and enabled passengers and crew to overpower the attacker – preventing a catastrophic mid-air disaster. He saved the lives of 174 people, including Israeli citizens and other nationals.”
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“I wish Captain Machchhar a speedy and full recovery. He is a true hero,” he stated.
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Netanyahu also met with one of the Israeli passengers who helped overpower the attacker after the group returned to Israel, praising the passenger for his actions aboard the aircraft.
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The incident has also produced significant repercussions for flydubai’s Israel operations. The airline’s service to Israel was suspended for six days following the attempted attack while security arrangements and the circumstances surrounding the incident are examined.
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Flydubai has been one of the most significant foreign carriers serving Israel since the Abraham Accords, continuing to operate during periods when numerous international airlines suspended service because of regional security concerns.
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The circumstances surrounding the co-pilot’s alleged actions remain under investigation, including the motive behind the attack and how the confrontation inside the cockpit developed.
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Machchhar, meanwhile, entered Wednesday’s flight with approximately 15 years in commercial aviation, thousands of hours commanding Boeing 737 aircraft and experience training other pilots — a professional background that proved critical when the routine flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv suddenly became a fight to prevent a midair catastrophe.

{Matzav.com}