Bloodshed at 34,000 feet: Indian pilot braves stabbing to help Dubai flight land safely

New Delhi: An Indian pilot is said to have played a key role in thwarting what the Israeli government has described as the attempted hijacking of a Flydubai aircraft flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday, after his co-pilot allegedly attacked him in the cockpit and attempted to take control of the aircraft.

Smit Machchhar, an Indian national and former SpiceJet pilot, was the pilot in command of flight FZ1073, according to people aware of the matter.

Also read: Former SpiceJet pilot at centre of Flydubai mid-air incident


Machchhar, who hails from Mumbai, joined Flydubai in June 2022 as a direct-entry captain after spending more than 11 years with SpiceJet, as per his profile.

ET broke the news online on Wednesday evening.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the co-pilot tried to crash the plane after stabbing the captain. Machchhar managed to unlock the cockpit door, which allowed in passengers, who overpowered the co-pilot. A second set of pilots travelling aboard then helped secure the cockpit and land the plane in Saudi Arabia.

First officer arrested, says Netanyahu

Flydubai said in a statement that there was an altercation in the cockpit but said the motive was still unknown and subject to investigation. The first officer has been arrested, Netanyahu said.

Machchhar's former colleagues described him as a pilot who followed the rule book religiously. His brother is also a commercial pilot and has previously flown for Akasa Air, they said.

In a podcast interview, Machchhar had spoken about his passion for flying Boeing aircraft, describing it as a dream. He also spoke about the enormous responsibility that comes with being in command of an aircraft and the need for pilots to remain conscious of the lives entrusted to them. That responsibility was put to an extraordinary test on Wednesday.

The Boeing 737 MAX 8 was carrying around 174 passengers, most of them Israelis, when the incident unfolded while the aircraft was flying toward Tel Aviv. According to Reuters, the two pilots became involved in a physical altercation. The aircraft subsequently went into a rapid descent, losing nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds, according to flight-tracking data.

Also read: Flydubai pilot called ‘terrorist’ after attempting to crash Israel-bound plane; what we know so far

The aircraft first transmitted the 7700 emergency code and later switched to 7500, the internationally recognised code for unlawful interference. The signals triggered a major security response in Israel, with the country's air force scrambling fighter jets as the plane diverted towards Saudi Arabia.

The aircraft landed safely at Tabuk in Saudi Arabia. Both pilots were injured and taken to hospital. Flydubai confirmed that the aircraft had experienced an incident en route to Tel Aviv and diverted to Tabuk, but said the reasons and circumstances remain subject to investigation.

Machchhar's career also highlights a broader trend in Indian aviation-experienced pilots moving to West Asian carriers in search of higher remuneration and better employment conditions.

Large numbers of Indian pilots have moved to Gulf carriers including Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad and Flydubai over the years. The trend has intensified as West Asian airlines expand fleets and offer tax-free salaries and other benefits, creating a persistent challenge for Indian carriers trying to retain experienced commanders.