{
  "id": 11135035,
  "title": "Who is Captain Smit Machchhar? Dubai-based flydubai pilot hailed as hero after cockpit attack",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/who-is-captain-smit-machchhar-dubai-based-flydubai-pilot-hailed-as",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-01T06:59:37.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/business/aviation/who-is-captain-smit-machchhar-dubai-based-flydubai-pilot-hailed-as-hero-after-cockpit-attack-1.500694428"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Captain Smit Machchhar, a veteran Boeing 737 pilot with Dubai-based flydubai, has been hailed as a hero following a frightening security incident on flight FZ1073. The incident occurred on September 30, 2023, when the aircraft was en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Machchhar, who was in command of the Boeing 737 MAX 8 carrying about 174 passengers and crew, was stabbed by the co-pilot during an altercation on the flight deck. Despite his severe injuries, Machchhar activated the cockpit door release, allowing passengers and crew to overpower the alleged attacker. The aircraft made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it safely landed. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Machchhar a hero, crediting him with averting a potential disaster. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also praised the captain and passengers for preventing a catastrophe.",
  "summary": "Dubai: A Dubai-based Indian pilot with flydubai is being hailed as a hero after a rare and frightening security scare in the skies. He was injured in a violent confrontation on the flight deck of a Wednesday flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - simply click here. Captain Smit Machchhar, a Mumbai-born Boeing 737 veteran of more than 13…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Press Journal",
        "title": "'Captain Smit Machchhar Is A HERO': PM Narendra Modi Hails Indian Flydubai Pilot For His Courage In Averting Major Mid-Air Tragedy",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/captain-smit-machchhar-is-a-hero-pm-narendra-modi-hails-indian",
        "published": "2026-10-01T02:21:40.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times",
        "title": "Who is Smit Machchhar? ‘Hero’ Indian pilot who thwarted flydubai flight crash attempt",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/who-is-smit-machchhar-hero-indian-pilot-who-thwarted-flydubai-flight",
        "published": "2026-10-01T02:47:53.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Le Monde English",
        "title": "Indian PM hails 'hero' Flydubai pilot for averting disaster",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/indian-pm-hails-hero-flydubai-pilot-for-averting-disaster",
        "published": "2026-10-01T03:32:52.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Indian PM hails ‘hero’ flydubai pilot for averting disaster",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/indian-pm-hails-hero-flydubai-pilot-for-averting-disaster-11131297",
        "published": "2026-10-01T06:04:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}