Smith’s poems ; Messrs. J. B. Cramer & Co., for certain poems from The Songs of the North ; Mrs. William Sharp for extracts from " Fiona Mac …
In a world where flying is often more about dodging turbulence and overpriced peanuts than actual life-threatening situations, a recent incident aboard a Flydubai flight has reminded us that sometimes, things can take a turn for the bizarre. Meet Smit Machchar, an Indian national and a direct-entry captain with Flydubai, who found himself in an unexpected fight for his life—and the lives of everyone on board.
Smit, who joined the ranks of Flydubai in June 2022, is not your average pilot. With over 9,750 hours of flying experience under his belt, he was likely prepared for a variety of scenarios—weather changes, engine failures, and even the occasional overzealous passenger trying to sneak a bottle of shampoo in their carry-on. But I bet he wasn’t quite ready for a co-pilot turning into a rogue agent.
Yes, you heard that right. During a flight bound for Israel, Smit’s co-pilot reportedly decided that a career in aviation wasn’t quite thrilling enough and attempted to stab him. The specifics of this attack are still murky, but Israeli officials have alleged that the co-pilot had sinister intentions, possibly aiming to crash the plane. Because, you know, nothing says ‘I need a career change’ quite like a mid-air coup.
Thanks to Smit’s quick thinking and possibly a few well-placed karate moves (or at least a stern look), he managed to fend off the attack. It’s not every day you hear about a pilot having to fight off a co-pilot in the cockpit, and frankly, it makes for a much more interesting in-flight movie than the usual rom-coms they play.
The incident prompted immediate intervention from both crew members and passengers, who probably thought they were in an episode of a high-stakes thriller rather than just trying to get to their destination. Can you imagine the conversation that ensued after everything settled down? “So, did you enjoy the flight?” “Oh, it was fine, except for the part where the co-pilot tried to stab the captain. How about you?”
As the dust settles, we are left with a few questions. How did this co-pilot get through the rigorous selection process? Did he have a hidden agenda, or was it just a case of a bad day at work? And most importantly, will Smit Machchar be getting a raise or at least some extra peanuts for his heroics?
In all seriousness, this incident underscores the importance of safety in aviation and the incredible bravery of those like Smit who are willing to put themselves in harm’s way to protect others. It’s a reminder that while flying may be statistically safer than driving, there are still surprises lurking at 30,000 feet—some of which are not quite as friendly as the flight attendants.
So next time you’re boarding a flight, spare a thought for the pilots who keep us safe, and maybe give them a nod of appreciation. And if you happen to see a co-pilot with a particularly shifty look in their eye, well, maybe it’s time to switch airlines. Safe travels!
Inspired by: “Know all about Smit Machchar, the Indian pilot of Flydubai flight who got stabbed by co-pilot” (r/News)