Smit Machchhar: Who is the Indian flydubai pilot hailed a ‘hero’

Indian pilot Smit Machchhar has been praised as a "hero" by world leaders following his heroic actions during a mid-air incident on a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight. On September 30, 2026, Machchhar bravely thwarted a potential disaster when his co-pilot stabbed him and attempted to crash the plane. Passengers and crew worked together to keep the passengers safe while Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door and activate the release.

The flight immediately made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where Machchhar is currently recovering in a hospital. Machchhar's journey to aviation began with a different career path, initially studying textile engineering and management in Mumbai, before discovering his passion for flying at an aviation seminar. He worked for over 11 years at SpiceJet before joining flydubai in 2022, where he has since been working as a captain. The motive behind his co-pilot's actions remains under investigation by authorities.