From a Textile Engineer to National Hero: The Story of Flydubai Pilot Smit Machchhar

From textile engineering student to aviation savior - how Captain Smit Machchhar survived a violent mid-air cockpit assault to save Flydubai flight FZ1073.

The story of Smit Machchhar's extraordinary act of valor.

News media around the world are going gaga over Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar’s extraordinary act of valor. Smit has drawn international attention following his heroics on board a Flydubai flight FZ1073 which was en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Smit, averted a major mid-air tragedy on September 30, Wednesday. At 34,000 altitude, Smit witnessed what passengers say was a violent cockpit confrontation with his co-pilot. 

What happened in the Cockpit aboard the  FZ1073?

The flight FZ1073 enroute Tel Aviv saw a co-pilot trying to crash it as reported by the media. And despite plummeting more than 14,000 feet in just 30 seconds, captain Smit Machchhar fought bravely with his Omani national co-pilot, and stopped him, while also opening the cockpit door and sending distress signals.

His quick thinking allowed passengers, cabin crew, and off-duty Flydubai crew members to enter the cockpit and stop the attacking co-pilot. The aircraft was safely diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, with all passengers and crew reported safe.

It is reported by international media, that the Omani national co-pilot of the Boeing 737 MAX 8 was to crash the aircraft killing all 174 on board. 

Smit’s Journey to the Skies

Smit Machchhar’s path to aviation was not your regular story as he was pursuing textile engineering after finishing Class 12. 

It was however at the age of 19 when he attended an aviation seminar that sparked his passion for flying. Hence, he relocated to New Zealand to train as a commercial pilot.

Upon returning to India, he built a reputation in commercial aviation. He spent over a decade with SpiceJet after joining them in June 2011. He rose to the rank of senior commander and line training captain. He had over 6,400 hours as pilot-in-command. He also actively trained and assessed peer pilots.

In June 2022, he took a direct-entry to the captain position at Flydubai. Thanks to his extraordinary skills and services to the aviation industry. Across his 13-year career, he had accumulated around 9,750 hours of flying experience across the Boeing 737 family, including the 737-800 and 737 MAX variants.

What’s next for Captain Smit Machchhar?

The brave pilot is fighthing life after sustaining several blows. Although the violent altercation with his co-pilot is under investigation by authorities, the aviation community and citizens globally are celebrating the textile engineer-turned-captain’s as a national hero. It was his resilience, sheer grit and bravery that made 174 people return to their homes, unscathed!