Heroic Actions Avert Mid-Air Catastrophe
Flydubai Captain Smit Macchhar found himself in a life-or-death struggle on a recent flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Carrying 174 passengers, the Boeing 737 was allegedly targeted by Macchhar's Omani co-pilot, who reportedly stabbed the captain and attempted to hijack and crash the aircraft. Macchhar bravely fought back, preventing the plane from crashing before it made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. Israeli passengers on board later assisted in subduing the co-pilot.
A Pilot's Journey: Overcoming Initial Fears
This dramatic incident stands in stark contrast to Macchhar's early days in aviation. In a podcast conversation from October 2025, Macchhar openly shared his initial anxieties, describing himself as "a bit scared" when he first began flying. Becoming a pilot was not a childhood dream for him; aviation piqued his interest much later, at the age of 19.
From Textile Engineering to Aviation
Macchhar initially pursued a textile engineering course, aligning with his family's business. After completing this, he enrolled in a management program. It was during this period that an aviation seminar captured his attention, sparking what he called "the aviation bug." He felt a strong attraction to the field, leading him to change his career path.
First Flights and Early Challenges
His aviation training took him to New Zealand, marking his first time leaving India. Having previously taken only a couple of domestic flights, the experience was new and daunting. He recalled being told, "Dar lagega, don't look out" (You'll be scared, don't look out) before his first familiarisation flight in a small aircraft.
His first commercial flight, from Bengaluru to Delhi during his training, was particularly "scary." Macchhar clarified that the fear wasn't about the aircraft itself, but the immense responsibility of flying an airline while still under training and probation. He admitted to making mistakes, feeling nervous, and constantly trying to stay ahead of the aircraft.
"At that stage, relaxing would have been the best option," Macchhar recounted. "Stressing is not going to help at least in this industry."
Despite the initial trepidation, he began to enjoy the flight after about half an hour, though he remembers the first 30 minutes to an hour as being quite frightening.
Extensive Experience in the Cockpit
Captain Smit Macchhar joined Flydubai as a Direct Entry Captain in June 2022. His LinkedIn profile indicates over 13 years of commercial flying experience, accumulating more than 9,750 flying hours. This includes extensive experience on Boeing 737-800 and 737 MAX 8/9 aircraft. Before his tenure at Flydubai, Macchhar spent approximately 11 years with SpiceJet in Mumbai, where he served as a Senior Commander and Line Training Captain.