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Flydubai flight Captain Smit Machchhar says, “…Where your body wants to shut down, but you have to fly…and you are tired…There’s no alternative. I have to land.”
Captain Smit Machchhar during the podcast; while speaking to PM Modi. (THE SAT Instagram/News18)
Even as Captain Smit Machchhar is recovering following the flydubai mid-air crisis, clips of his old podcast interview are going viral. The part standing out is his insistence on “being 100% even when you body wants to shut down”, which many say he proved during the flydubai crisis.
In his interview with The SAT.Machchar said, “We need to be at our 100%…I mean, no one can be at 100%, but we would want to be at that 100% mark.”
‘NO ALTERNATIVE, I HAVE TO LAND’
“Flying during the night, during the Circadian low, where your body wants to shut down, but you have to fly, or maybe you are doing an approach…and you’re landing and it’s raining. So to be ready and to be operationally there to make sure that even at that critical time…When you are flying let’s say at 80, 90 or 100 hours a month and you are tired, but you still have to perform…There’s no alternative. I have to land,” he said.
Captain Machchhar emphasized the crucial role cabin crews play as ultimate lifesavers during unexpected mid-air emergencies, noting that people often overlook crew importance until a crisis strikes.
He also highlighted the need for absolute focus in the cockpit by avoiding distracting discussions. His words gained massive attention following his heroic response on a Flydubai flight, where despite being stabbed by his co-pilot, he managed to open the cockpit door so passengers and crew could subdue the attacker and land safely.
WHO IS CAPTAIN SMIT MACHCHHAR?
At A Glance
Captain Smit Machchhar is an Indian commercial pilot from Mumbai.
On September 30, 2026, he commanded flydubai Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
During the flight, he was attacked by his co-pilot while cruising at 33,000 feet.
He managed to dial the emergency transponder hijack code (Squawk 7500) and unlock the cockpit door.
The plane made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, saving 174 passengers and crew.
Captain Smit Machchhar is an Indian commercial pilot from Mumbai who has been hailed globally as a hero for averting a mid-air aviation catastrophe. On September 30, 2026, while commanding flydubai Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv, he successfully fought off his co-pilot who attacked him and attempted to crash the aircraft.
During the flight, while cruising at an altitude of around 33,000 feet, Captain Machchhar’s co-pilot (reported to be an Omani national) launched a violent insider attack, stabbing the captain inside the cockpit. The assault caused the Boeing 737 MAX 8 to enter a steep, rapid dive, dropping thousands of feet in seconds.
Despite sustaining severe stab wounds to his neck and hands and losing a significant amount of blood, Machchhar fiercely resisted the attacker to maintain partial control, dialed the emergency transponder hijack code (Squawk 7500), and managed to unlock the cockpit door. This enabled the cabin crew and passengers to rush in and overpower the rogue co-pilot. With the help of off-duty pilots traveling on board, the plane safely diverted and made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, saving all 174 passengers and crew members.
His profound bravery and quick thinking drew immense praise from international leaders. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi commended his valour, stating that Machchhar’s actions “prevented another 9/11-like incident”. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu honored him as a “true hero” who saved hundreds of lives.
US President Donald Trump also praised his extraordinary actions during the crisis.
Following the incident, Captain Machchhar underwent emergency surgery in Saudi Arabia and was subsequently airlifted to Dubai, where he is currently in stable condition and recovering with his family.
Machchhar did not initially set out to become a pilot. A native of Mumbai, he originally studied textile engineering to join his family’s business and pursued management studies at Mumbai’s Welingkar Institute. However, attending an aviation seminar at the age of 19 shifted his career ambitions.
He underwent commercial pilot training in New Zealand and built an illustrious aviation career. He has over 13 to 15 years of commercial flying experience, accumulating over 9,500 flight hours primarily on the Boeing 737 fleet. He served as a senior commander and line training captain for the Indian private carrier SpiceJet, which he joined in 2011. He moved to the UAE-based airline flydubai in June 2022, operating as a direct-entry captain prior to the incident.
Quick Answers
Ask News18On September 30, 2026, while flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv, Captain Smit Machchhar was stabbed by his co-pilot at 33,000 feet. Despite severe wounds and a rapid dive, he managed to unlock the cockpit door so others could subdue the attacker, allowing the plane to land safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
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At the news desk for 20 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing speci…Read More
October 02, 2026, 3:23 pm IST
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