Stories
Textile Engineer to Pilot: Smit Machchhar's Dramatic Journey After Mid-Air Cockpit Incident
N
News18•01-10-2026, 14:27
Textile Engineer to Pilot: Smit Machchhar's Dramatic Journey After Mid-Air Cockpit Incident
- •Captain Smit Machchhar gained international attention after a violent cockpit confrontation aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30.
- •Machchhar was injured during the incident, which occurred after the Boeing 737 MAX 8 was already airborne, leading to a diversion to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
- •He reportedly managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to intervene, though the circumstances and motive are still under investigation.
- •Machchhar initially pursued textile engineering and management after Class 12, not aspiring to be a pilot from childhood.
- •An aviation seminar at 19 changed his career path, leading him to New Zealand for commercial pilot training, which cost around Rs 16–17 lakh at the time.
Key Questions Answered
Captain Smit Machchhar was injured during a violent confrontation inside the cockpit of Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30, leading the aircraft to divert and land safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Before pursuing a career in aviation, Machchhar initially studied textile engineering after completing Class 12 and later looked into management before attending an aviation seminar at the age of 19.
After attending an aviation seminar that changed his career path, Machchhar travelled to New Zealand for his commercial pilot training, which cost around Rs 16-17 lakh at the time.
