Captain Smit Machchhar of flydubai thwarted a hijack attempt on flight FZ 1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday, preventing a catastrophic mid‑air disaster that could have claimed 174 lives. The incident unfolded as the aircraft plunged 17,000 feet in a single minute over the Jordanian border, forcing an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
The co‑pilot allegedly seized the controls, but Machchhar, injured in a cockpit scuffle, unlocked the door and forced the rival pilot out, allowing the two other pilots in the cabin to regain command and steer the jet safely to the nearest airfield. The 13‑year‑old veteran, who logged 9,750 flight hours, suffered a broken arm and concussion but remains conscious.
Before joining flydubai, Machchhar spent 11 years with SpiceJet as a line training captain, and he credits a management seminar in 2016 for sparking his aviation career. His family, who run a textile business in Gujarat, were notified of his injuries by the airline and are reportedly praying for his recovery.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Machchhar as a national hero, calling the incident a 9/11‑style prevention, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised his extraordinary bravery. The Israeli security services have opened a formal investigation, and the International Civil Aviation Organization will review the incident.
The pilot is currently receiving medical care in Mumbai and is expected to undergo rehabilitation over the next few weeks. Investigators from both India and Israel are coordinating to determine the co‑pilot’s motives and to assess any procedural lapses. The incident has prompted flydubai and aviation regulators to reinforce cockpit security protocols across the region.