Who is the 'hero' Indian pilot who was stabbed on Israel-bound flight?

Capt. Smit Machchhar, an experienced Indian commercial pilot, has been recognized by international leaders for preventing a catastrophic disaster on a Flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv. During the flight, Machchhar was attacked and stabbed by a fellow pilot in the cockpit, an event that led to a sudden 17,000-foot descent of the aircraft. Despite sustaining severe injuries, the captain managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to enter, overpower the assailant, and divert the plane to Saudi Arabia, saving the lives of 174 people on board, according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Quick summary

• Capt. Smit Machchhar was stabbed by a colleague on Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
• The aircraft plummeted 17,000 feet in less than two minutes during the struggle in the cockpit.
• While wounded, Machchhar opened the cockpit door, enabling passengers and crew to subdue the attacker.
• The plane made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia; Machchhar is reported to be in stable condition.
• Israeli and UAE authorities are investigating the incident as a potential terrorist attack.

What happened

Flydubai flight FZ1073 departed Dubai International Airport at 03:05 GMT, carrying at least 150 people, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stating that almost all passengers were Israeli. Approximately two and a half hours into the flight, data from Flightradar24 shows the plane made a rapid descent over Saudi Arabia, dropping more than 17,000 feet in less than two minutes around 05:21. The aircraft transmitted emergency squawk code 7700 for a general emergency, followed by code 7500, which indicates a hijacking.

Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that one pilot stabbed the other and apparently tried to crash the plane. Passengers reported hearing screams and feeling pressure as the plane dived. Yaniv Hayoun, a passenger and plumber, recounted that he and others forced their way into the cockpit, where he placed the attacker in a chokehold and dragged him away from the controls. Another passenger, Miryam Shira Ohayon, described the event as a potential suicide attack, stating the plane was 'really on the way to crashing.'

The aircraft landed safely at Tabuk Airport in north-western Saudi Arabia at 06:58. Capt. Machchhar, who Netanyahu suggested may have been hit with an axe or stabbed, was taken to a local hospital where the Indian Embassy in Riyadh reported him to be in stable condition. The attacker, identified by some Israeli officials as an Omani national, was detained by Saudi authorities. The passengers were later transported to Israel on a replacement aircraft.

How we got here

Capt. Smit Machchhar grew up in Mumbai, India. Although he initially pursued a management course to work in his family's textile business, an aviation seminar at age 19 inspired him to change his path. He underwent 18 months of training at Mainland Air in Dunedin, New Zealand, between 2008 and 2009. Philip Kean, CEO of Mainland Air, remembered Machchhar as a diligent worker who remained calm during crises.

• 2008-2009: Completed pilot training at Mainland Air in New Zealand.
• 2011: Joined the Indian airline SpiceJet as a commercial pilot.
• 2022: Joined the Emirati carrier Flydubai.
• Wednesday: Prevented a mid-air disaster on flight FZ1073 after being stabbed.

With over 9,750 flying hours, including 6,400 as pilot-in-command, Machchhar was a veteran of the Boeing 737 Max 8. In a previous podcast interview, he described his professional evolution from a 'no-nonsense' pilot to one who prioritizes a healthy work-life balance with his family. He had previously managed various in-flight emergencies, including a situation where a passenger went into early labor, which he credited to the training and support of senior pilots.

Who are the involved parties

The primary figure is Capt. Smit Machchhar, whose actions have been praised by leaders in India and Israel. The attacker was a fellow pilot, described by Israeli officials as an Omani national, though official statements from Oman or the UAE have not been released. The intervention also involved passengers like Yaniv Hayoun and an off-duty British relief pilot who, according to passenger Almog Itali, helped stabilize the aircraft and land it in Saudi Arabia.

High-level political figures have responded to the event. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Machchhar's actions the 'highest form of courage,' while US President Donald Trump described the attacker as either a 'terrorist' or a 'whack-job.' Additionally, Israeli security forces and air marshals were reportedly involved in subduing the attacker, according to sources close to the Saudi investigation.

What the parties are saying

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz characterized the incident as an 'attempted jihadist attack,' and the Foreign Ministry briefed diplomats that it was a terrorist attack targeting Israelis, the UAE, and the Abraham Accords. However, Saudi officials cautioned that the investigation is in its early stages and it is too early to draw definitive conclusions. The UAE's state news agency reported that the country is investigating whether the act involved prior planning or terrorist direction.

Flydubai confirmed the incident and stated they are working with relevant authorities, subsequently suspending flights to and from Israel. On the diplomatic front, US Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated there are 'no credible threats' to US airlines but emphasized that the US takes such incidents seriously to ensure passenger safety.

Explainer

The 'Abraham Accords' mentioned in the investigation are the 2020 diplomatic agreements that normalized relations between Israel and several Arab nations, including the United Arab Emirates. This normalization enabled the establishment of direct flights and business ties between Dubai and Tel Aviv, which allowed Flydubai flight FZ1073 to operate on this specific route.

In aviation, 'squawk codes' are four-digit transponder codes used by aircraft to communicate specific statuses to air traffic control. Code 7700 is the international standard for a general emergency, while code 7500 is specifically used to signal a hijacking attempt. These signals prompted the Israeli military to initially scramble fighter jets.

Impacts and why it matters

The incident raises questions regarding aviation security, specifically how a pilot could bring a weapon—described by Netanyahu as potentially an axe—into a secure cockpit. While pilots undergo background checks and airport security screenings, this breach suggests a potential vulnerability in the vetting or screening process for flight crew members.

Beyond security, the event has geopolitical implications. The attempt to crash a plane bound for Israel during a period of regional tension, and the targeting of a flight enabled by the Abraham Accords, is viewed by Israeli officials as an attack on the peace process between Israel and its Arab neighbors.

What comes next

The attacker remains in Saudi Arabian custody and, according to Benjamin Netanyahu, is expected to be transferred to the United Arab Emirates. Joint investigations by the Israeli transport ministry, the defense establishment, and UAE authorities are ongoing to determine the exact motive and whether the attacker had external support.

Flydubai's flight suspensions to Israel will remain in place while the investigation continues. Meanwhile, the international community continues to monitor the case for any links to broader terrorist activities in the region.