{
  "id": 11104476,
  "title": "From textile engineering to cockpit hero: Indian pilot wins praise after flydubai drama",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/from-textile-engineering-to-cockpit-hero-indian-pilot-wins-praise-11104476",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-01T03:41:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/columnists/2026/10/1545241/textile-engineering-cockpit-hero-indian-pilot-wins-praise-after"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Indian pilot Smit Machchhar, credited with averting a crash of a flydubai jet en route to Israel, is being hailed as a hero. Aviation, however, was not his childhood ambition. The 39-year-old, who now possesses nearly 10,000 flying hours, was destined for the family's textile business until his 19th year when he discovered a newfound fascination with flying.\n\nDespite early resistance from his mother, Machchhar ultimately pursued his newfound passion, completing aviation training in New Zealand and eventually joining SpiceJet before transferring to flydubai in 2022. His dedication and bravery were on full display when he was stabbed by a co-pilot mid-air, attempting to crash the aircraft carrying 174 passengers and crew. Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to overpower the assailant. Two flydubai pilots, also passengers, assisted in landing the plane safely. The Mumbai resident, who prefers to keep his personal and professional lives separate, is currently recovering in a Saudi Arabian hospital. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have both praised Machchhar, calling him a true hero.",
  "summary": "FOR Indian pilot Smit Machchhar, hailed as a hero for averting a crash of a flydubai jet bound for Israel, aviation was never part of his childhood dreams.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Al-Monitor",
        "title": "From textile engineering to cockpit hero: Indian pilot wins praise after flydubai drama",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/from-textile-engineering-to-cockpit-hero-indian-pilot-wins-praise",
        "published": "2026-10-01T03:46:33.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "From textile engineering to cockpit hero: Indian pilot wins praise after flydubai drama",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/from-textile-engineering-to-cockpit-hero-indian-pilot-wins-praise-11107094",
        "published": "2026-10-01T04:07:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}