Smit Machchhar, the flydubai pilot stabbed by his first officer during an Israel-bound flight, has been identified as an Indian national.
The veteran aviator, who has logged nearly 10,000 hours in the air, was hailed by officials in India and Israel for preventing a possible terror attack on Tuesday. Machchhar, whose name was confirmed by outlets in both countries, reportedly fought back against his co-pilot after the first officer attempted to seize control of the aircraft.
The first officer was characterized by authorities and in early reports as a “terrorist” who turned on his commanding pilot mid-flight. Machchhar sustained multiple stab wounds during the confrontation but managed to alert crew members and passengers to the unfolding emergency aboard the plane, which was bound for Israel.
Two off-duty pilots who happened to be on board responded to the crisis and assumed control of the aircraft. They diverted the plane to Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely without further incident. The successful intervention by the off-duty aviators drew praise from officials familiar with the operation.
Machchhar was transported to a hospital for treatment after the aircraft reached its unscheduled destination in Saudi Arabia. The extent of his injuries has not been detailed in available reports, though officials confirmed he was stabbed several times during the altercation with the first officer.
The first officer’s fate and identity have not been disclosed in initial coverage from Indian and Israeli sources. What motivated the co-pilot’s attempt to commandeer the aircraft also remains unreported at this stage.
The flight’s diversion to Saudi Arabia added a geopolitical dimension to an already extraordinary episode, given the complex diplomatic landscape between Israel and Arab states in the region. Flydubai, a Dubai-based carrier, operates regular services connecting the United Arab Emirates with destinations including Israel.
The incident echoes rare but historically significant cases of crew members turning against their own aircraft, though such episodes involving commercial flights remain exceptionally uncommon in modern aviation. Tuesday’s events stood out for the rapid collective response that combined the wounded captain’s resistance with the opportune presence of qualified pilots among the passengers.
Authorities in India and Israel both moved to credit Machchhar’s actions, with his nationality becoming a focal point in the aftermath as details of the dramatic mid-air struggle reached the public.