The cockpit door that saved lives: How Capt. Smit Machchhar saved flydubai FZ1073

The plane was simply flying along when it suddenly plummeted nearly 14,000 feet in under thirty seconds. What followed transformed flydubai flight FZ1073 from a routine trip from Dubai to Tel Aviv into a potentially fatal crisis, while putting Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar at the heart of the drama.

But this is hardly a story of a lone hero. Rather, it is a story of human reactions when the traditional chain of command within the confines of a plane's cockpit is disrupted.

What happened to FZ1073?

The flight FZ1073, which was carrying 174 passengers, departed Dubai International Airport for Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv on 30 September. The aircraft was a Boeing 737 MAX 8. According to flydubai, an incident occurred in the aircraft's flight deck en route, after which the plane was secured by an on-duty flydubai crew which had been travelling on board and diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia.

Israeli officials alleged that the co-pilot attacked Captain Machchhar and was trying to cause a plane crash. The sudden drop in altitude of the plane is indicative of the severity of the situation aboard.

Flight-tracking data reported by The Indian Express showed over 14,000 feet lost over around 29 seconds. For the passengers of the aircraft, this resulted in an entirely disorienting experience.But the crucial moment came inside the plane's cockpit.

The crucial moment

According to reports from both Israeli officials and passengers of the aircraft, Machchhar, despite having suffered injuries, was able to open the aircraft's cockpit door. It may seem like a minor detail but it is not. The cockpit door normally serves to separate the plane's flight deck from the passenger cabin.

With it open, it meant that people outside it could see whatever was taking place inside it and intervene. Passengers and crew entered the cockpit and restrained the co-pilot.

Two other flydubai pilots were also on board the plane, helping in getting it under control and eventually landing it safely. This is the crucial distinction that sets this as much more than a story of heroism by one man. Machchhar was not the sole actor.

His interventions created a window of opportunity for others, including passengers and crew members, to step in and help.In addition, trained pilots who were on board the aircraft also contributed to getting it under control.

It was the combination of these factors that helped transform what could have been a potentially fatal situation into a safe landing.

From SpiceJet to the cockpit

While Machchhar's career path to become a pilot may have been a winding road, it was also a successful one. According to reports, he had initially been engaged in his family's textile business, and later developed an interest in aviation and had trained to become a pilot in New Zealand.

He had worked with SpiceJet before joining flydubai in 2022. Reports citing his professional profile indicate that he had amassed around 9,750 hours of flying experience, including substantial hours of flying on Boeing 737s, and had also served as a training captain with SpiceJet.

His professional experience with commercial aviation is crucial to understand. Pilots are trained to handle a number of abnormal situations, follow procedures and communicate effectively. But an attack in the cockpit goes way beyond that.

The diversion to Tabuk

After the situation aboard was brought under control, the plane was diverted to the city of Tabuk in north-western Saudi Arabia.

The aircraft landed safely, and flydubai confirmed that all passengers and crew had been accounted for and were safe. The airline later facilitated onward travel arrangements for the passengers. Machchhar was taken to the hospital for further treatment, with India's diplomatic mission in Saudi Arabia confirming that he was receiving medical care and was in stable condition.

His actions were later publicly lauded by Indian leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu.

What we do not know ?

One troubling question that remains is why the confrontation at the cockpit even happened. While Israeli officials have claimed that the intent was to cause a plane crash, the reason why it happened is unclear. It may well turn out to be a matter for investigation.

But it is important to distinguish between the situation, which saw the plane brought down safely on the ground, and the reasons why this happened. The plane landed safely, Machchhar was injured, passengers and crew stepped in, and other pilots got involved.

These are facts that are known.

The reason why it happened, remains a subject for further probing. Perhaps the most telling detail of the FZ1073 incident is that when the conventional chain of command aboard a plane is disrupted, the responsibility to get things back under control is not just borne by one individual.

At various stages, different people responded in ways that helped create the conditions for the aircraft to be brought under control. Sure, the actions of Captain Smit Machchhar were crucial. But the greatest lesson from the incident is perhaps that it is a collective effort to ensure safety.

One cockpit door was opened.

And it allowed everyone else to step in.