India, Sept. 30 -- Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian citizen and flydubai captain, has been identified as the pilot who allegedly intervened when his co-pilot attempted to interfere with the aircraft's systems during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.

Machchhar was reportedly injured in the confrontation and left with blood on his face and hands.

Videos from after the incident showed passengers praising the injured pilot, with one telling him, "You saved the plane, you did well."

The confrontation sparked fears of a possible hijacking before the aircraft was diverted and landed safely in Saudi Arabia.

More than 9,750 flying hours

Machchhar has been with flydubai for around four years and previously spent about a decade with Indian airl...