Smit Machchhar Health Update: Flydubai Captain Undergoes Surgery in Saudi Hospital as World Hails Him ‘Hero’
Indian Flydubai captain Smit Machchhar has undergone surgery at a hospital in Saudi Arabia and is now in stable condition after being stabbed during a dramatic cockpit incident aboard an Israel-bound flight, according to local reports.
Machchhar was injured after an altercation broke out between the pilots of Flydubai Flight FZ1073, which was flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday. The aircraft was forced to divert to Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia after plunging thousands of feet and transmitting an emergency signal.
Reuters reported that Machchhar suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Both pilots were hospitalized in Tabuk following the incident.
Flydubai and Indian authorities are in contact with Machchhar’s family, while the Indian government has said it is extending support to him and coordinating with the relevant authorities in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
There has been no public indication that Machchhar has been discharged from the hospital.
What Happened to Smit Machchhar on Flydubai FZ1073?
The flight was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when a violent confrontation erupted in the cockpit. Israeli officials said the co-pilot, identified as an Omani national, stabbed Machchhar and then attempted to crash the aircraft. The aircraft reportedly plunged nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds before passengers and crew intervened.
According to an account cited by Reuters, Machchhar was injured and lying on the cockpit floor when he managed to activate the release that opened the cockpit door. Passengers then entered the cockpit and helped overpower the other pilot. A second Flydubai crew member aboard the aircraft subsequently took control and landed the plane safely in Tabuk.
Passengers Hail Machchhar and Crew for Preventing Disaster
The incident has drawn widespread praise for the passengers and crew members who intervened during the emergency.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised passengers who entered the cockpit and restrained the co-pilot. Reuters reported that Netanyahu described one passenger involved in the intervention as a “hero.”
According to the Reuters account, his ability to open the cockpit door allowed passengers to enter and intervene.
However, the full sequence of events remains under investigation, and Flydubai has said the underlying reasons for the incident are not yet known.
An Israeli passenger on a flydubai flight recounted the moment aboard the plane, saying that the co-pilot of the flight tried to crash the plane after stabbing the other pilot. He also mentioned that upon arriving in Saudi Arabia they were welcomed by the local authorities and were treated nicely before they boarded their plane to Israel.
Who Is Smit Machchhar?
Machchhar is an Indian national and has been a Flydubai captain since June 2022, according to his professional profile cited by Indian media. Before joining Flydubai, he spent about 11 years with SpiceJet in Mumbai, where he worked as a senior commander and later as a line training captain responsible for training and checking pilots.
His profile lists around 9,750 flying hours on Boeing 737 aircraft. Machchhar was reportedly the pilot in command of FZ1073 when the incident occurred.
Investigation Into Flydubai Cockpit Attack Continues
The motive behind the confrontation remains unclear. The co-pilot was taken into custody by Saudi authorities following the emergency landing and is expected to be questioned as part of the investigation. Reuters reported that Israel plans to tighten security checks on pilots flying into the country following the incident.
Flydubai has said it will issue further information after reviewing the cockpit voice recorder and other details surrounding the incident.
