An Indian pilot played a pivotal role in averting a potential catastrophe aboard a Flydubai flight bound for Israel after he was stabbed by his co-pilot and, despite his injuries, managed to open the cockpit door and enable passengers and crew to intervene.
Captain Smit Machchhar, the commander of Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv, was seriously injured during the mid-air confrontation on Wednesday. The Boeing 737, carrying 174 passengers, was subsequently diverted to Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely. Machchhar was taken to hospital, while the co-pilot was taken into custody.
According to accounts reported by Israeli and international media, Machchhar was attacked inside the cockpit as the aircraft was flying through Jordanian airspace. The plane then descended by almost 14,000 feet in roughly 30 seconds, triggering emergency alerts and panic among passengers.
Despite suffering multiple stab wounds, Machchhar reportedly managed to release the cockpit door. Passengers and crew members then entered the cockpit and restrained the co-pilot. Two additional Flydubai pilots who were travelling on the aircraft also assisted in regaining control, allowing the aircraft to divert to Saudi Arabia and land safely.
The dramatic intervention has drawn praise from leaders in India and Israel. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Machchhar as a hero and said his courage had helped prevent a major tragedy. President Droupadi Murmu also praised his “heroic courage and incredible presence of mind”.
Machchhar was initially treated at a hospital in Tabuk after the emergency landing. Indian officials said he was seriously injured but safe, and the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia remained in contact with his family and Saudi authorities. Later reports said he underwent surgery and was in stable condition.
The Indian Embassy in the UAE has also been assisting Machchhar's family. Ambassador Deepak Mittal met family members after they travelled from Mumbai and assured them of continued support from the Indian mission and consulate. More recent reports said Machchhar had been moved to the UAE for further treatment and was recovering under medical supervision.
What happened aboard FZ1073?
The flight left Dubai for Tel Aviv on Wednesday with 174 passengers. About two and a half hours into the journey, an emergency unfolded in the cockpit.
Flight-tracking data showed the aircraft rapidly losing altitude, with reports indicating a descent of almost 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds. Emergency code 7700 was initially transmitted before the aircraft subsequently declared unlawful interference using code 7500.
Passengers later described the aircraft shaking and suddenly losing control. Some reportedly realised that something was seriously wrong when the plane began descending and attempted to reach the cockpit.
According to accounts cited by Israeli media, Machchhar had been stabbed and was bleeding heavily but succeeded in opening the cockpit door. Passengers and crew then overpowered and restrained the other pilot. The aircraft was eventually brought under control and diverted to Tabuk Airport. All passengers and crew were accounted for, according to Flydubai.
The passengers, most of them Israeli, were later taken to Israel on a replacement flight.
Investigation launched
The United Arab Emirates has ordered an investigation into the incident.
UAE Attorney General Hamad Saif al-Shamsi said investigators would gather evidence to establish what happened, determine the circumstances and motives, and examine whether the incident was connected to terrorism, whether there was any prior planning or direction, and whether others were involved.
Flydubai has also urged caution while the investigation continues, saying that the underlying reasons and motives remain unknown.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu initially said it was too early to establish a motive or determine whether Iran had any connection to the incident. He said the pilot accused of attacking Machchhar was being investigated in Saudi Arabia and indicated that Israel could participate in the investigation.
Israeli officials have described the incident as an apparent attempt to deliberately bring down the aircraft and Defence Minister Israel Katz characterised it as an attempted terror attack.
Netanyahu has also said that Israel would strengthen security measures following the incident, including around flights operated by Israeli and foreign carriers.
India hails Machchhar's actions
Machchhar's actions have prompted widespread praise in India.
The Ministry of External Affairs said he showed remarkable courage despite being gravely injured and that his actions saved many lives. Modi subsequently spoke to Machchhar's parents and wife, assuring them that the government and Indian diplomatic missions would provide assistance.
Speaking at an event marking the centenary of the Union Public Service Commission, Modi said the Israeli prime minister had described the incident as an example of an Indian preventing another “9/11-style” tragedy. Modi said Machchhar's courage had made Indians proud and appealed for prayers for his recovery.
Murmu similarly praised the captain's “heroic courage and incredible presence of mind”, saying his actions helped avert a major tragedy.
US President Donald Trump also praised Machchhar’s actions, particularly his decision to open the cockpit door despite being severely injured. “The pilot was in very bad shape... But in a way, he was a hero to open the door,” Trump said.
That decision may have proved critical not only in preventing a wider disaster but also in saving Machchhar’s own life. Among those who rushed into the cockpit was Dr Shota Musaev, a dentist, who provided immediate assistance to the injured captain.
Machchhar had suffered severe cuts to his head and hands and had lost a significant amount of blood. Musaev told CNN that the captain was in critical condition when they reached him. “He was covered in cuts – his head, his hands – they were practically sliced open. He lost a lot of blood and was in bad shape,” Musaev said.
He added that the timing of their intervention was crucial. “I think that if we had waited even a few more moments, we would have lost him; his blood pressure had plummeted,” he said.
The Israeli government has also publicly recognised Machchhar's role, while passengers who helped enter the cockpit and restrain the co-pilot have been praised for their actions.
Questions over motive remain
The incident has raised questions about how a violent confrontation was able to unfold inside the cockpit and why the aircraft subsequently went into a steep descent.
However, several key details remain unresolved. Authorities have yet to establish a definitive motive for the attack, whether it was premeditated, or whether anyone else was involved.
The UAE-led investigation is expected to examine the sequence of events, the co-pilot's actions and background, cockpit security procedures and the circumstances that allowed the aircraft to enter an emergency descent.
For now, the clearest outcome is that FZ1073 did not end in disaster. The aircraft landed safely in Saudi Arabia, all passengers survived, and Captain Smit Machchhar, seriously wounded in the confrontation, has emerged as a central figure in the effort to bring the flight under control.
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Gujarat roots of the pilot being hailed as a hero globally
Machchhar’s Gujarat connection has come into focus as his family continues to follow his recovery. His father-in-law, Jaysukhbhai Jogi, said the family was deeply concerned after learning about the incident, while his brother-in-law Hirenbhai Jogi said they remained proud of Machchhar and the courage he displayed.
Machchhar’s family traces its roots to Wadhwan in Gujarat’s Surendranagar district, although his immediate family has been settled in Mumbai for several years. He completed his schooling and higher education in the city and initially appeared set to join the family’s traditional textile business.
After studying textile engineering, Machchhar was considering pursuing management education so that he could contribute to the family enterprise. But a chance encounter with aviation at around the age of 19 changed the course of his career.
He attended an aviation seminar that sparked an interest in flying, eventually prompting him to pursue professional pilot training. He travelled to New Zealand, where he completed his flight training, logged the required flying hours and obtained the qualifications needed for a Commercial Pilot Licence.
Machchhar returned to India and began his commercial aviation career, later spending more than 11 years with SpiceJet. During his tenure, he served as a Senior Commander and Line Training Captain.
In June 2022, he joined Flydubai as a direct-entry captain. He has reportedly accumulated more than 9,750 hours of flying experience, including on Boeing 737 and Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.
