Who is Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot at the centre of the Flydubai FZ1073 cockpit crisis?Machchhar, a Mumbai native, joined Flydubai in June 2022 after spending more than 11 years with SpiceJet. His professional profile lists more than 9,750 hours of flying experience, including extensive Boeing 737 experience.During the Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight on September 30, Machchhar was allegedly attacked and stabbed by his co-pilot. Despite being seriously injured, reports say he fought back and managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to enter and restrain the attacker. The Boeing 737, carrying 174 people, was eventually diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, and landed safely.PM Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have praised Machchhar’s courage, with Modi calling him a hero and saying his actions helped avert a major tragedy.Watch for the full story of Smit Machchhar — his journey from Mumbai and SpiceJet to becoming the pilot at the centre of one of the most dramatic aviation incidents of 2026. -News18 is your trusted source for breaking news, updates, and in-depth analysis from around the world. CNN-News18 is dedicated to bringing you the latest news, trends, and insights, helping you stay informed and up-to-date. Subscribe Now and join our community of informed and engaged viewers. Follow Every Breaking Story LIVE
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