The hero captain of Flydubai Flight FZ1073 trained in New Zealand before his actions during a violent cockpit attack helped avert disaster.
DUBAI: The hero captain at the centre of the dramatic flydubai Flight FZ1073 incident trained in New Zealand before building a 15-year aviation career that ultimately placed him in command of the Dubai-to-Tel Aviv service.
Captain Smit Machchhar was seriously injured during a violent cockpit confrontation on September 30, 2026, but managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing others aboard to intervene.
Captain trained at New Zealand flight school
Machchhar trained at Mainland Air in Dunedin for around 18 months in 2008 and 2009. Philip Kean, chief executive of the New Zealand flight school, told local media that Machchhar had stood out as a student and displayed strong leadership qualities during his training.
Reuters reported that Machchhar originally studied textile engineering and had been expected to enter his family business before developing an interest in aviation. He later accumulated more than 9,750 flight hours, spending much of his career with SpiceJet before joining flydubai in 2022.
Violent cockpit struggle sends aircraft plunging
The flight was travelling from Dubai International Airport to Tel Aviv when Machchhar’s co-pilot allegedly attacked him. Israeli authorities said the co-pilot stabbed the captain and apparently attempted to bring down the Boeing 737 as the aircraft descended sharply.
Despite his injuries, the hero captain managed to release the cockpit door. Passengers, cabin crew and off-duty pilots then entered the flight deck, restrained the alleged attacker and helped regain control of the aircraft.
Flydubai confirmed that an incident occurred aboard FZ1073 and said the aircraft was successfully brought back under control by crew before diverting and landing safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia. The airline stressed that the cause and motive remained subject to official investigation and urged against premature speculation.
All 174 people aboard survive
There were 174 people aboard the aircraft, according to reports. The captain was taken to hospital in Saudi Arabia and was reported to be in stable condition following treatment.
The Indian PM praised Machchhar’s courage, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also publicly commended his actions. Authorities are investigating whether the incident involved terrorism, meaning a terror motive has not yet been conclusively established.
New Zealand training returns to spotlight
The hero captain’s years in Dunedin have now become part of the wider story surrounding the emergency. His former training school said pilots prepare for emergencies in training, but responding successfully to an extreme real-world event presents an entirely different challenge.
Impact to expect
The incident is likely to intensify scrutiny of cockpit security and procedures for dealing with threats originating inside the flight deck, while investigators work to establish the attacker’s motive and full sequence of events.
