New Delhi, October 1, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian pilot with flydubai, has been widely praised after a violent incident in the cockpit of flight FZ1073 forced the Dubai-to-Tel Aviv aircraft to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
The Boeing 737, carrying 174 passengers, was diverted to Tabuk after an alleged confrontation between Machchhar and the co-pilot. Israeli officials said the co-pilot attacked Machchhar and attempted to interfere with the aircraft’s controls. Despite being injured, Machchhar is reported to have opened the cockpit door, allowing cabin crew and passengers to intervene and restrain the other pilot.
The aircraft experienced a sharp loss of altitude during the incident before control was restored. It subsequently landed safely in Tabuk, where both pilots were taken for medical treatment. Machchhar was later reported to be in stable condition. Flydubai confirmed that an incident had occurred in the flight deck and said the circumstances remained under investigation, urging against speculation.
From SpiceJet to flydubai
Machchhar joined flydubai in June 2022 as a direct-entry captain after spending more than 11 years with Indian carrier SpiceJet. His professional profile lists around 9,750 hours of flying experience on Boeing 737 aircraft, including the 737-800 and 737 MAX 8 and 9. He also accumulated more than 6,400 hours as a pilot-in-command during his time at SpiceJet.
At SpiceJet, Machchhar worked as a senior commander and later as a line training captain, a role that involved training and assessing other pilots. His profile lists more than 13 years of commercial aviation experience.
How Machchhar entered aviation
Machchhar did not initially plan a career in aviation. According to accounts of his earlier interviews, he had been pursuing studies connected to his family’s textile business before an aviation seminar during a management course sparked his interest in flying.
He subsequently underwent pilot training in New Zealand. In a podcast interview, Machchhar recalled that his training cost around Rs 16-17 lakh and that his mother was initially concerned about his decision, while his father was more accepting of the career change.
Investigation continues
The incident occurred while FZ1073 was travelling from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion International Airport. The aircraft was diverted to Tabuk following the cockpit incident and later transported its passengers onwards to Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Machchhar as well as the passengers and crew members who intervened during the confrontation. However, the precise sequence of events and the motive behind the alleged attack remain under investigation. Flydubai has said the underlying circumstances should not be subject to speculation until the inquiry is completed.
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