Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Mumbai Neighbours Praise Smit Machchhar After Cockpit Attack
Captain Smit Machchhar was flying a plane from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
Reports say his co-pilot attacked him and tried to make the plane crash.
Machchhar was badly hurt but managed to open the cockpit door.
Passengers and crew then entered and restrained the co-pilot.
Two other Flydubai pilots who were passengers helped land the aircraft.
The plane was diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia.
Machchhar was taken to a hospital and was reported to be recovering.
His childhood friends said he had always been calm and good at making quick decisions.
People in Mumbai and leaders in India and Israel praised him for protecting those on board.
Captain Smit Machchhar was praised after reportedly fighting off a co-pilot who tried to crash Flydubai flight FZ1073.
The flight was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv with 174 people aboard, although neighbours described the number as nearly 180.
Machchhar was reportedly stabbed but opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to restrain the co-pilot.
The aircraft diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where Machchhar received hospital treatment and was reported to be recovering.
Friends, neighbours, Indian and Israeli leaders, and Welingkar Institute praised Machchhar’s courage and composure.
- Who
- Captain Smit Machchhar, the co-pilot, passengers and crew aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073, and two Flydubai pilots traveling as passengers.
- What
- Machchhar reportedly fought off the co-pilot after an alleged attempt to crash the aircraft.
- When
- The incident occurred on Wednesday; reports and public reactions were published on October 1.
- Where
- The flight traveled from Dubai to Tel Aviv and diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia; Machchhar’s parents live in Mumbai.
- Why
- According to the reports, Machchhar acted to prevent a crash and protect the people aboard the aircraft.
- Pilot
- Captain Smit Machchhar
- Flight
- Flydubai flight FZ1073
- Route
- Dubai to Tel Aviv
- Reported attack
- The co-pilot allegedly stabbed Machchhar and attempted to crash the aircraft.
- Reported passenger count
- One account cited 174 people; Mumbai residents cited nearly 180 or more than 180.
- Diversion
- The aircraft diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
- Medical status
- Machchhar was treated in a Tabuk hospital and was reported to be recovering.
- Public response
- Neighbours, Narendra Modi, Benjamin Netanyahu, Devendra Fadnavis and Welingkar Institute praised Machchhar.
Sources
‘Matter of great pride’: Flydubai Pilot Smit Machchhar’s Neighbours, Friends Laud Him For Averting Aviation Disaster | VIDEO
Pilot hailed as hero by Israel was always “cool and composed”, says childhood friend
‘Most sorted-out kid in society’: Captain Smit Machchhar draws praise from Mumbai neighbours, politicians
"Had Always Been Very Calm": Childhood Friend Of Hero Indian Pilot
