Flydubai Hijack Attempt: Indian Pilot Smit Machchhar Hailed As 'True Hero' Friend Says 'He's Taught Us Courage'

(MENAFN- Live Mint) Indian pilot Smit Machchhar has been hailed as a“true hero” after being attacked and stabbed by another pilot in the cockpit of a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.

Machchhar was the captain of the Boeing 737 Max when the incident took place on Wednesday. The aircraft was diverted to Tabuk in north-western Saudi Arabia, where Machchhar was taken to hospital.

He remains in a stable condition, according to the Indian embassy in Riyadh.

Quick answers to key questions

.5 QUESTIONS1What happened during the Flydubai flight that led to the hijack attempt?⌵

The Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv experienced a violent altercation in the cockpit, where the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain, Smit Machchhar, and attempted to take control of the aircraft, causing a rapid descent before it was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

2Why was Captain Smit Machchhar considered a hero in the Flydubai incident?⌵

Captain Smit Machchhar was hailed as a hero for his courageous actions during the hijack attempt, as he managed to open the cockpit door to allow passengers and crew to subdue the attacker, saving the lives of 174 people onboard.

3How did the Flydubai flight crew respond to the hijack attempt?⌵

After Captain Machchhar opened the cockpit door despite his injuries, passengers and crew worked together to overpower the co-pilot and stabilize the aircraft, allowing it to safely land in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

4What kind of training did pilot Smit Machchhar undergo that helped him in the cockpit during the attack?⌵

Smit Machchhar's training included extensive flying experience and techniques like 'chair flying', which involves mentally rehearsing emergency procedures, enhancing focus and discipline essential for handling crises in the cockpit.

5What investigation is being conducted regarding the co-pilot of the Flydubai flight?⌵

An investigation is underway to determine the co-pilot's motive, background, and any possible links to terrorist activity, given his reported social media activity and allegations of radicalization.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Machchhar a“true hero”, saying he saved the lives of 174 people and prevented a“catastrophic mid-air disaster”.

A BBC report said Machchhar's longtime friend and fellow pilot Captain Dharav Gosalia recalled his reaction after learning about the incident, as well as the pilot's career and training.

Also Read | Flydubai horror: Captain Machchhar stabbed, flight diverted to Saudi - Timeline 'I had goosebumps': Friend recalls Machchhar

Gosalia said his immediate reaction after hearing about the incident was:“I had goosebumps.”

The two pilots have known each other since they were around 20, when they were neighbours in Ghatkopar, Mumbai, and began their flying training in New Zealand.

Machchhar was Gosalia's senior. They later spent six years working together at SpiceJet, flying Boeing 737 aircraft.

Their careers subsequently took them in different directions. Machchhar moved to Dubai and joined Flydubai in 2022, while Gosalia went on to fly Boeing 777 aircraft for Air India.

“We have been in touch with messages,” Gosalia says.“If there are some routes we have to fly, we discuss destinations and family on WhatsApp and phone.”

Their paths occasionally crossed while flying. In 2024, Gosalia was flying to London through Dubai airspace when he recognised Machchhar's voice on the radio. Machchhar was flying to Mumbai.

Also Read | CJP Protest LIVE Update: CJP begins protest in Mumbai, Delhi imposes section 163

“We greeted each other,” he recalls.

'Outgoing person, jovial': How Gosalia remembers Machchhar

Gosalia described Machchhar as an outgoing and jovial person.

“Outgoing person, jovial. Very jovial,” he says.

The two would meet during layovers in destinations such as Milan and Bangkok and play tennis-ball cricket when they were back in Mumbai.

Machchhar also helped younger pilots by teaching new recruits and passing on what he had learnt.

“He is a very disciplined flier,” Gosalia says.

Pilot training and the 'chair flying' technique

Gosalia said Machchhar's discipline was reinforced by years of training, including instruction from former Indian Air Force pilots who later moved into commercial aviation.

“That training gives you more focus, more discipline, and more focus on motor skills,” Gosalia says.

One part of pilot training is known among pilots as“chair flying”. It involves rehearsing an emergency procedure while sitting in a chair, mentally running through the sequence and moving the hands to where the relevant switches and controls would be in the cockpit.

Also Read | Jantar Mantar Protest: Delhi Traffic Police issues advisory

The aim is to make those movements instinctive when something goes wrong and there is little time to think.

Machchhar had more than 9,750 hours of flying experience

Machchhar had extensive flying experience to draw on. He had more than 9,750 hours of flying experience, including more than 6,400 hours as pilot-in-command, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Gosalia said the precise sequence of Wednesday's confrontation would become clearer from the aircraft's flight data and cockpit recordings.

But whatever happened inside the cockpit, he said Machchhar had to make decisions under extraordinary pressure.

“What happened to him, what he did – he was the commander on the flight,” Gosalia says.

'There is no conventional checklist' for a cockpit attack

Pilots have established procedures for emergencies such as an engine failure, fire or loss of cabin pressure.

But there is no conventional checklist for another person attempting to overpower someone inside the cockpit.

And that, Gosalia says, is where courage matters.

“How much courage plays a role? A lot,” he says.“This was a threat to life.”

The BBC report also highlighted Gosalia's view of what Machchhar's experience could mean for fellow pilots facing a similar situation.

“Smit has taught us courage. Now we will do the same thing if something like this happens.”

MENAFN02102026007365015876ID1111749594