Smit Machchhar

Smit Machchhar serves as an Indian commercial airline captain flying for Flydubai, bringing years of experience from his time as a training captain with SpiceJet. His career has focused heavily on Boeing 737 operations, a skill set that would prove vital during a terrifying incident on September 30, 2026. While piloting Flight 1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv, Machchhar faced a life-threatening situation when his co-pilot stabbed him in the cockpit. Israeli officials later described the attacker's actions as an apparent attempt to crash the aircraft. Machchhar sustained serious wounds but refused to surrender control. He managed to unlock the cockpit door and coordinate with passengers and crew to overpower the assailant. The team successfully secured the flight deck and guided the plane to an emergency landing at Tabuk International Airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia. Every person on board survived the ordeal, a result attributed to Machchhar's quick thinking and physical resilience under extreme pressure. This event highlighted his dedication to safety and his ability to remain calm when facing immediate danger.[edit]