Jerusalem

Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar has emerged as a hero and for his "extraordinary bravery" after the heroics saved the day aboard flydubai flight FZ1073, amid an altercation between the two pilots in the cockpit while the other one allegedly attempted to crash the plane.

Smit Machchar is a Dubai-based pilot who, according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was stabbed and seriously injured by his co-pilot mid-air. In an extraordinary act of bravery, he fought back his copilot and while bleeding heavily managed to open the cookpit and alert the passengers and crew before collapsing.

Thus Smit's presence of mind and bravery of fighting back despite being stabbed successfully prevented a catastrophic aviation disaster and saved 174 lives.

In a statement shared on X, Prime Minister Netanyahu hailed the pilot's resilience and presence of mind under life-threatening circumstances. He further noted that Machchhar's courage ensured the survival of everyone on board, including several Israeli citizens.

"My salute to the Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his extraordinary bravery. 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. I wish Captain Machchhar a speedy and full recovery. He is a true hero," Netanyahu posted.

My salute to the Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his extraordinary bravery.

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…

— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) September 30, 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also hailed Machchar’s bravery and called him a hero.

Captain Smit Machchhar is a HERO.

In the face of the gravest danger and despite being seriously injured, he showed immense courage and an unwavering resolve to protect the lives of others.

His valour helped save hundreds of lives and avert a great tragedy.

India is proud of…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 1, 2026

Support and wishes are pouring in from all over India, Israel and the UAE for Smit Machchar, who is currently under treatment in a Saudi hospital.

The Israel Airline Pilots Association expresses its gratitude to flydubai’s heroic captain, Smit Machchhar, and the relief flight crew who were on board the aircraft. pic.twitter.com/tiDp4rRuth

— 🎗️איגוד הטייסים הישראלי (@igudhatayasim) September 30, 2026

The flight was diverted to Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia, as the aircraft travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv issued an “unlawful interference” signal, according to The Times of Israel. The Indian national reportedly got into the altercation to prevent an alleged attempt to crash the plane.

The flight initially transmitted squawk code 7700, an international emergency signal, before sending code 7500, which indicates a hijacking or unlawful interference, according to flight-tracking data cited by The Times of Israel. The 7500 signal prompted Israeli Air Force fighter jets to scramble toward the aircraft. However, hijacking was later ruled out by Israeli authorities.

An old video clip of Smit Machchar's interview has surfaced on social media where he is speaking about the role of pilot in crew in emergencies onboard:

The brave Gujarati Captain Smit Machchhar from India 🇮🇳❤️

Wishing him a speedy recovery 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/O1HvvHl4WB

— أحمد شريف العامري (@AhmedSharif) September 30, 2026

US President Donald Trump also praised the Indian Pilot for his bravery and presence of mind in saving so many lives;

The flight was eventually landed safely by passengers in civilian clothes.

Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh confirmed that Machchhar is receiving medical care and that Indian authorities are closely monitoring his recovery.

"Our Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah have been following the health condition of Mr Smit Machchhar, the brave Indian pilot of Flydubai flight that was diverted to Tabuk today. He is admitted in a hospital in Tabuk city in northwest Saudi Arabia and is receiving necessary medical attention. A full update on his health is awaited but he is reported to be in stable condition," the Embassy of India in Riyadh posted on X.

The embassy further added, "We hope that he recovers from his injuries at the earliest. We are in touch with his family and assure them that we will continue to follow up on his health with Saudi authorities and extend all possible assistance for his well-being."

Captain Machchhar is a seasoned pilot who currently flies as a direct-entry Captain with UAE-based carrier Flydubai.

A veteran in the cockpit, Captain Machchhar brings over 13 years of commercial aviation experience, with an impressive log of 9,750 total flying hours, predominantly operating Boeing 737 (B737) aircraft.

Prior to joining Flydubai, he had a distinguished 11-year tenure with an IndiGo airline, where he served as a Line Training Captain.

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Netanyahu said that the evidence indicates that the flydubai pilot stabbed his fellow pilot. He claimed an intention to crash the plane. He further noted that Saudi Arabia’s authorities are interrogating the suspect.