“Blessed”: Flydubai Captain Spoke of Life-or-Death Emergencies in Interview Now Going Viral

DUBAI (VINnews) – An interview recorded nearly a year ago with the Flydubai captain identified by media reports as Smit Machchhar is drawing new attention after he was seriously injured in an apparent cockpit attack aboard a flight to Israel.

Machchhar was the captain of Flydubai flight FZ1073, which was carrying 174 passengers, including 27 children, when the co-pilot allegedly attacked him during the flight. Passengers and crew members intervened, and the aircraft was eventually brought safely back to Israel.

In the resurfaced interview, Machchhar spoke at length about the importance of cabin crew during emergencies — remarks that have taken on new significance following the incident.

“Those people … go through some rigorous training,” Machchhar said in the interview, explaining that cabin crew are trained in safety procedures, emergency procedures and first aid.

He said passengers might be fortunate enough to have a doctor aboard when something goes wrong, but cabin crew are trained to respond to emergencies and can provide critical assistance.

“When things are going wrong, you need them,” he said.

The interview, published in October 2025, was part of the Bonafide Banter podcast, where Machchhar discussed his more than 17 years in aviation, his experience flying Boeing 737 aircraft and his work mentoring aspiring pilots.

He also described several emergencies he had encountered during his career.

One involved a passenger who suffered severe shortness of breath. The passenger was given oxygen, while the flight crew focused on getting him professional medical assistance as quickly as possible after landing.

Another incident involved a woman who went into labor during a flight.

Machchhar recalled that the aircraft had just taken off on a morning flight when the crew alerted him that a woman appeared to be experiencing premature labor.
The cockpit crew immediately began preparing for a possible diversion. They identified nearby airports, checked weather conditions and prepared an approach in case the aircraft needed to land quickly.

Within minutes, the crew reported that the woman had delivered the baby.

Machchhar said the cockpit and cabin crews worked together and that paramedics were arranged to meet the aircraft after landing. Both the mother and baby were reported to be fine.
He described the experience as requiring urgency but also careful preparation.

The interview also showed Machchhar discussing how pilots handle difficult situations involving passengers.

He recalled an early-career flight during which passengers became increasingly angry over a lengthy delay. The captain he was flying with eventually left the cockpit with him and spoke directly to the passengers.

Rather than arguing with them, the captain asked one particularly upset passenger how he could make his day better. He then reminded the passengers that the crew was also stuck and wanted to get home.

According to Machchhar, the atmosphere gradually changed. Within about 10 to 15 minutes, the cabin had become quiet, and passengers who had been angry were sitting and eating.
Machchhar said the experience influenced his own approach as a captain. He said he generally tries to keep passengers informed through announcements rather than leaving them wondering what is happening.

He also emphasized that aviation involves layers of safety and constant training.

Pilots undergo recurring medical examinations, simulator checks and other evaluations, he explained, while aircraft are subject to detailed operational and maintenance requirements.
At the end of the interview, when asked to describe in one word how it feels to be a pilot, Machchhar answered:

“Blessed.”

Now, following the FZ1073 incident, portions of the interview have resurfaced online as passengers and aviation watchers look back at the captain’s comments about emergencies, teamwork and the role of cabin crew when something goes wrong.