Archive · 3 Oct 2026
Dubai Crown Prince Visits Injured Pilot After Midair Attack
Captain Smit Machchhar was flying a plane from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
His co-pilot allegedly attacked him while they were in the air.
The plane began to lose altitude, and Machchhar was badly injured.
He opened the cockpit door and alerted the passengers.
Passengers went inside and helped stop the attacker.
The plane then made an emergency landing, though reports differ on who landed it and where.
Machchhar is recovering in a hospital, and Dubai’s Crown Prince visited him to praise his bravery.
Investigators are still looking into why the attack happened.
Dubai Crown Prince Hamdan bin Mohammed visited flydubai captain Smit Machchhar in a hospital and praised his courage.
Machchhar was injured during a midair attack by his co-pilot aboard a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
The articles say Machchhar opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers to enter and overpower the attacker.
One report says off-duty pilots landed the plane; another says it made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
The UAE is investigating the incident, including whether it was linked to terrorist activity or purpose.
- Who
- Dubai Crown Prince Hamdan bin Mohammed visited injured flydubai captain Smit Machchhar.
- What
- Machchhar was injured while stopping an alleged attack by his co-pilot during a flight.
- When
- The attack occurred on Wednesday; the Crown Prince visited Machchhar on Saturday.
- Where
- The flight was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv; one report says it made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. Machchhar was hospitalized in Dubai.
- Why
- The Crown Prince visited to recognize Machchhar’s courage and actions during the incident.
- Captain
- Smit Machchhar, an Indian pilot
- Visitor
- Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai
- Flight
- flydubai flight FZ1073, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv
- Alleged attacker
- Co-pilot Hamam Alhammami, an Omani national
- People aboard
- The first article says 172 passengers and crew were saved.
- Landing
- One article says off-duty pilots landed the plane; another reports an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
- Investigation
- The UAE is leading an investigation, including whether the incident was linked to terrorist activity or purpose.
- Recovery
- The Indian Embassy in the UAE said Machchhar was responding well to treatment.
