{
  "id": 12764332,
  "title": "Hero flydubai captain was always ‘two steps’ ahead when on duty",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/hero-flydubai-captain-was-always-two-steps-ahead-when-on-duty",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-08T02:00:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/2026/10/08/hero-flydubai-captain-was-always-two-steps-ahead-when-on-duty/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Captain Smit Machchhar of flydubai saved the lives of 174 passengers when he opened the cockpit door of Flight FZ1073 during an emergency crash axe attack by a co-pilot. This incident occurred on a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight on September 30. Despite severe injuries, Machchhar's quick thinking and experience allowed him to divert the aircraft safely to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. A former colleague, Capt Dharav Gosalia, highlighted Machchhar's habit of staying \"at least two steps ahead\" of the aircraft, which allowed him to prepare for any potential issues. Machchhar, a veteran of 15 years in the industry, has been praised as a hero and is recovering from life-threatening injuries in an Abu Dhabi hospital. The UAE is investigating the motives behind the attempted terrorist attack, while Machchhar's friend emphasized the importance of teamwork and the unique qualities that enabled Machchhar to handle the crisis with remarkable presence of mind.",
  "summary": "The experience and instinct of flydubai's Capt Smit Machchhar to prepare for any eventuality helped to prevent an “unimaginable” suspected terrorist attack, a friend has said. The flydubai captain saved the lives of 174 passengers when he opened the cockpit door of Flight FZ1073 despite life-threatening injuries from an emergency crash axe attack by a co-pilot. The mid-air attack began a few…",
  "key_points": [
    "Captain Smit Machchhar saved 174 passengers on Flight FZ1073",
    "Machchhar opened cockpit door during emergency co-pilot attack",
    "Veteran praised for staying two steps ahead of aircraft"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The heroic actions of Captain Smit Machchhar, driven by his experience and habit of preparedness, underscore the critical role of seasoned leadership in high-pressure aviation emergencies.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "Hero flydubai captain was always ‘two steps’ ahead when on duty",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/hero-flydubai-captain-was-always-two-steps-ahead-when-on-duty-12765176",
        "published": "2026-10-08T02:00:01.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}