FlyDubai captain Smit Machchhar took action after being stabbed in the cockpit, helping avert a disaster. According to Sina Finance, he later said in a YouTube podcast in October 2025 that becoming a pilot was not his first choice, and that he changed his mind only after attending an aviation conference.

He also recalled feeling nervous on his first flight during probation and said, "Relaxation is the best choice. In this industry, nerves do not solve problems."

He has since been praised by leaders around the world for his courage and quick response after being attacked in the air. U.S. President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi all called him a hero after he fought back while injured and opened the cockpit door to the cabin.

The passengers then rushed into the cockpit, subdued the attacker, and took control after the aircraft plunged more than 14,000 feet in 30 seconds at nearly the speed of sound. The flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv later made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

India's Embassy in Saudi Arabia said on X that Machchhar had been taken to a hospital in Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia and was receiving necessary medical treatment. It said complete information on his health was still pending, but that he was reported to be stable.