Dhaka, Oct. 1 -- Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian national working for Dubai-based low-cost airline flydubai, is the pilot who fought off his co-pilot after the latter allegedly tried to sabotage the aircraft's systems during a flight carrying 174 passengers, including 27 children.

Machchhar has worked for flydubai for four years, according to his LinkedIn profile. Before joining the airline, he spent 10 years with Indian low-cost carrier SpiceJet, Indian news outlet NDTV reports.

He has more than 13 years of commercial flying experience on Boeing 737 aircraft and has logged over 9,750 flight hours. He has also worked extensively as a line training captain.

Machchhar joined SpiceJet in 2011 and held several positions, including line t...