Wounded FlyDubai Pilot Recalls Life-Threatening Moment During In-Flight Crisis

Indian pilot Smit Machchhar recounts how he saved passengers during a deadly cockpit struggle on a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight.

Editorial Desk

October 2, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — New Delhi, India — A wounded Indian pilot who played a critical role in preventing a potential disaster during an in-flight emergency has shared his account of the harrowing moment he realized the plane was losing control.

Smit Machchhar, a veteran flydubai pilot with over a decade of experience as a captain, spoke with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the incident, which occurred during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. He described the intense struggle that unfolded when his co-pilot allegedly attacked him, leading to a chaotic fight for control of the aircraft.

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Machchhar, who was severely injured during the altercation, said he felt the plane descending and knew it was his final chance to prevent a catastrophe. Despite his injuries, he managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to rush in and assist in regaining control. The Boeing 737, carrying 174 passengers, eventually made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after plummeting nearly 17,000 feet in a minute.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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