For Captain Smit Machchhar, flying an airplane never meant just reaching the destination. Long before he found himself at the controls of a Boeing 737 MAX during one of the most terrifying aviation incidents in recent time, the Mumbai-born pilot had imagined a very different future, the one connected to his family’s textile business.Machchhar is a resident of Ghatkopar and had lived in Mumbai for most of his life. He only moved to Dubai some four years back after he joined Flydubai.When Smit was 19 and attended an aviation seminar that changed his life’s plan, he didn’t think that one day he’d find himself in such a grave situation. Years later, when his decision placed him in a cockpit where, despite suffering serious injuries, he helped avoid what could have become a catastrophic disaster.What happened aboard Flight FZ1073?On September 30, flydubai Flight FZ1073 was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv with 174 passengers. It was during the flight when a violent incident took place in the cockpit.As per media reports and eyewitness accounts shared on social media along with Israeli officials and passengers, the Omani-origin co-pilot allegedly attacked and stabbed Machchhar. Soon after, the aircraft went into a dramatic descent. Reuters reported that the aircraft plunged thousands of feet in a matter of seconds. The flight then transmitted emergency signals before being diverted towards Tabuk in Saudi Arabia.Machcchar was seriously injured from the stab, but still reportedly managed to activate the cockpit-door release. An act that changed the course of the whole incident and proved crucial. Passengers and crew members were then able to enter the cockpit; with their help, the attacker was captured.An off-duty pilot and others aboard the aircraft subsequently helped stabilise the aircraft. The flight made a safe emergency landing at Tabuk and Machchhar was immediately taken to hospital for treatment and was reported to be in stable condition.Israeli PM Benjamin NetanyahuIsraeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu also spoke to the media about the FlyDubai flight incident and called everyone who saved the flight from crashing “heroes”.I salute these heroes who showed resourcefulness and extraordinary courage. They saved many lives, most were citizens of Israel. This morning there was a very serious security incident on a flight from Dubai to Israel.”The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority has confirmed that the flight experienced a security incident on September 30.Prime Minister Narendra Modi called him a “Hero”On Thursday, October 1, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Machchhar for his bravery and called him a “HERO”. He also spoke to Machchhar’s wife and parents and assured the family that Indian missions were providing assistance.The pilot who never planned to flyMachchhar’s journey into aviation is unusual. In an old interview recorded with podcaster Zalak Mehta, Machchhar explained that he initially studied textile engineering because he expected to eventually join his family’s textile business. He then pursued management studies at Mumbai’s Welingkar Institute of Management, where an aviation seminar introduced him to the world of flying.He was just 19 when bitten by “aviation bug”His family was quite surprised by his decision. His mother was worried about his choice, while his father was more accepting of the new direction. He eventually travelled to New Zealand for commercial pilot training. Reports also say he completed his commercial pilot training in New Zealand before obtaining Boeing 737 type training at the Flight Safety Training Centre in Manesar, Gurgaon.From SpiceJet cockpit to flydubai captainBefore flydubai, Machchhar was working with SpiceJet. Over the years, he progressed from first officer to senior commander and later became a line training captain in November 2020.Perhaps the most striking part of Machchhar’s story is that an interview recorded only about a year before the incident has resurfaced after the emergency.In that conversation, he spoke about something passengers rarely think about what happens when things go wrong in the air. He stressed the importance of cabin crew, emergency and first-aid training.On September 30, his training, experience and presence of mind were tested and he emerged as a hero. Machchhar’s story, therefore, is not only about the dramatic moments but also about years of disciplined training, experience and humanity. On Thursday, Modi summed up the significance of what happened in a simple message: India, he said, is proud of Captain Machchhar.
