Who is the 'hero' Indian pilot who was stabbed on Israel-bound flight?

MUMBAI, 2 OCTOBER 2026 —

The pilot who was stabbed on an Israel-bound flight on Wednesday has been identified as Indian national Capt Smit Machchhar, a commercial aviator with nearly a decade of experience who was attacked by another pilot onboard a Flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv.

The event has drawn widespread international attention, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailing Machchhar as a "true hero" for his actions during the crisis.

The attack occurred during Flydubai flight FZ1073, which departed Dubai International Airport in the United Arab Emirates at 03:05 GMT, or 07:05 local time, en route to Ben Gurion Airport in Israel. The flight was carrying at least 150 people, with Netanyahu stating that "almost all" passengers were Israeli. Data from flight tracking website Flightradar24 indicates that the plane made a rapid descent over Saudi Arabia approximately two and a half hours after take-off.

At around 05:21, the aircraft dropped more than 17,000 feet, equivalent to 5,000 meters, in less than two minutes. Minutes later, the plane signalled an emergency code, squawk 7700, before switching to a squawk 7500 code, which indicates a hijacking.

At 05:40, the plane, which had briefly entered Jordanian airspace, looped back into Saudi Arabia, where it later started its manual descent for landing. Less than an hour later, the plane returned to the squawk 7700 emergency code. The aircraft eventually touched down at Tabuk Airport in north-western Saudi Arabia at 06:58, according to location data. Initial local media reports cited Israeli officials as saying a fight had broken out between two pilots.

However, speaking on Wednesday after the incident, Netanyahu confirmed later reports that one pilot had stabbed the other before "apparently trying to crash" the plane.

Netanyahu provided further details regarding the sequence of events, stating that an Israeli passenger told him "the plane went into a spin and began to descend." The Prime Minister added that the passenger and a crew member broke into the cockpit and overpowered the "pilot who had carried out the stabbing." US President Donald Trump also commented on the incident, telling reporters at the White House that "the pilot was in very bad shape" but had the sense to open the cockpit door during the attack.

"Amazing, in a way he was a hero, to open the door. He was able to fall back and get the door open," Trump said.

Machchhar, who has been described as being in stable condition by the Indian embassy in Saudi Arabia, was taken to a hospital in Tabuk. The Indian embassy in the United Arab Emirates stated that Machchhar was "in good health and recovering well." Ambassador Deepak Mittal expressed his sentiments, saying he was "proud of Capt Smit for his bravery" and "very reassured" to meet him.

Netanyahu wrote on X that Machchhar "saved the lives of 174 people" and prevented "a catastrophic mid-air disaster." Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also praised the pilot, stating that Machchhar "showed immense courage and an unwavering resolve to protect the lives of others" despite being seriously injured. "His valour helped save hundreds of lives and avert a great tragedy," Modi wrote in a post on X, adding that he hoped for the pilot's speedy recovery.

Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar praised the pilot's "extraordinary courage and remarkable presence of mind, even in the face of grave danger."

Machchhar’s professional background reveals a career marked by steady progression and extensive training. He grew up in the Indian city of Mumbai, where his parents still live. In 2008, he joined Mainland Air, an aviation college in New Zealand's Dunedin, before joining Indian airline SpiceJet as a commercial pilot three years later. He moved to Dubai and joined Flydubai in 2022 as an experienced pilot.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Machchhar has more than 9,750 hours of flying experience, including more than 6,400 hours as pilot-in-command. His former employer SpiceJet issued a statement calling Machchhar a "hero" who had saved "countless lives."

Philip Kean, the CEO of Mainland Air, told the BBC that he remembered Machchhar as a man who would remain calm in a crisis. "We trained him for forced landing - not this kind of situation, which is very, very rare," Kean said.

"It was a long time back but he came across as a good and honest worker." An old friend who worked with him at SpiceJet, Capt Dharav Gosalia, described him as outgoing and "very jovial." Machchhar, whose nickname was "Smit Mac," was a "disciplined flier" who had undergone years of training, Gosalia said, including from former Indian Air Force pilots who had moved into commercial aviation.

Last year, Machchhar spoke about how he started flying and his experiences as a pilot on a podcast called Bona-Fide Banter. Aviation, he said, was "never a childhood dream." When he was around 19, he joined a management course, planning to work for his family's business. But then he came across an aviation seminar and "the bug bit [him]," he added.

Machchhar also spoke about how, when he wore his pilot's uniform, he was "no-nonsense" and thought "about work 100%." But unlike his younger days, he added, he now placed a greater value on having a healthy work-life balance and spending time with family. "Give personal life equal importance - it will help you fly longer," he advised.

He also detailed challenges he had faced in the air, including when a passenger went into early labour and the crew worked together to ensure the baby was born safely. "In aviation terms, I was lucky to grow up with people who helped me be the pilot that I am today," he said, crediting senior pilots with teaching him how to face stressful situations.

At the time of the conversation, Machchhar said that no plane he'd flown had needed to make an emergency landing. He had, however, faced medical emergencies and minor aircraft issues that had caused delays. He said delays were "not my problem. As long as you're walking out of the aircraft [safely], that's what I want."

Indian social media has been awash with praise for Machchhar since his identity emerged, with commenters calling him a hero. Snippets from the podcast have also gone viral, highlighting his previous insights on safety and professionalism. The incident has underscored the critical importance of cockpit security and the resilience of crew members in the face of unprecedented threats.

As Machchhar recovers in Saudi Arabia, the aviation community continues to reflect on the events of Wednesday, with his actions serving as a focal point for discussions on safety protocols and human response in crisis situations. The international response, ranging from diplomatic statements to personal tributes, highlights the global impact of the incident and the recognition afforded to those who act decisively to protect others in the skies.