Stories
How Textile Engineer Captain Smit Machhar Became a Pilot and Safely Landed Diverted Flight
- •Captain Smit Machhar initially studied textile engineering and management after completing the 12th grade before changing his career path at age 19 to pursue aviation.
- •He moved to New Zealand for commercial pilot training, which cost approximately 1.6 to 1.7 million rupees at the time.
- •Machhar has over 13 years of commercial flying experience and approximately 9,750 flight hours, primarily on Boeing 737 aircraft.
- •He spent over a decade with SpiceJet rising to Senior Commander and Line Training Captain, later joining flydubai as a direct-entry Captain in June 2022.
- •Despite being injured in a cockpit altercation during flydubai flight FZ1073 on September 30, he managed to open the door, allowing intervention before safely landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Key Questions Answered
After passing the 12th grade, Captain Smit Machhar initially studied textile engineering and moved into management before attending an aviation seminar at age 19 that changed his career path. He then completed his commercial pilot training in New Zealand before returning to India to build his aviation career.
flydubai flight FZ1073 was forced to divert to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after a violent altercation broke out in the cockpit between Captain Smit Machhar and his co-pilot on September 30. Despite sustaining severe injuries, Machhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to intervene and secure the aircraft.
Captain Smit Machhar has over 13 years of experience flying commercial aircraft and approximately 9,750 hours of flight experience on Boeing 737 planes. He spent over a decade at SpiceJet rising to Senior Commander and Line Training Captain before joining flydubai as a direct-entry Captain in June 2022.
