How did Machchhar survive a terrifying cockpit attack?

Indian pilot Smit Machchhar is being praised in India and Israel after helping prevent a potential disaster aboard a flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv.

Machchhar, the captain of the Boeing 737, was reportedly attacked by his co-pilot during the flight on Wednesday. Despite being seriously injured, he managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to enter and restrain the co-pilot.

The aircraft, carrying 174 people, was diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely. Machchhar was taken to a hospital in the Saudi city and is recovering from his injuries.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the pilot for showing courage and protecting the lives of those on board. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also described Machchhar as a hero.

The Mumbai-born pilot has around 15 years of aviation experience and has logged nearly 9,750 flight hours. He worked for Indian airline SpiceJet for more than a decade before joining flydubai in 2022.

Machchhar did not initially plan to become a pilot. After completing school, he studied textile engineering with plans to join his family’s textile business. He later pursued management studies in Mumbai, where an aviation seminar sparked his interest in flying when he was around 19.

He subsequently trained in New Zealand and joined SpiceJet, eventually becoming a training captain who mentored younger pilots. He later moved to flydubai, where he continued flying Boeing 737 aircraft.

In a previous interview, Machchhar said his priority was always to ensure passengers safely leave the aircraft. He also described keeping his professional life separate from his personal life, saying that once he leaves the cockpit, his focus shifts back to his family and everyday life.