2 hrs ago
New Footage Shows Chaos After Flydubai Cockpit Attack
A flydubai plane was traveling from the UAE to Israel when the co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain.
The captain, Smit Machchhar, was badly injured and said he had been hit many times.
Even while hurt, he reportedly opened the cockpit door.
This helped passengers and crew reach the area and stop the danger.
People on the plane tied up the co-pilot and called for police.
The plane then landed urgently in Saudi Arabia.
A dentist and medical workers helped treat the injured captain.
He was later moved from a hospital in Tabuk to Abu Dhabi.
Authorities are investigating whether the incident involved terrorism or prior planning, while the airline says the reason for the fight is still unclear.
New footage from flydubai Flight FZ1073 shows passengers and crew responding after the Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar.
Machchhar, who said he had been hit repeatedly, reportedly opened the cockpit door despite serious injuries.
Passengers and crew restrained the co-pilot, who was later seen with his hands bound as police were requested.
The aircraft made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, and Machchhar received initial treatment in Tabuk before being moved to Abu Dhabi.
The UAE is investigating possible terrorist activity or prior planning, while Flydubai said the reason for the altercation remained unclear.
- Who
- Captain Smit Machchhar, an unnamed Omani co-pilot, passengers, crew members, medical workers, and investigating authorities were involved.
- What
- The co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain during a flight, and passengers and crew intervened to prevent further danger.
- Where
- The flight was traveling from the UAE to Israel, landed in Saudi Arabia, and Machchhar was later treated in Tabuk and Abu Dhabi.
- When
- The incident occurred during Flight FZ1073; footage was released during continuing investigations, with one report dated October 2, 2026.
- Why
- Authorities are investigating whether the incident involved terrorist activity, intent, prior planning, or direction; the exact reason for the altercation remains unclear.
Claims of a deliberate attack
Unresolved investigation
Motive and intent
Claims of a deliberate attack
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the co-pilot had undergone Islamist radical indoctrination, appeared suicidal, and may have been trying to crash the plane. Israeli officials described the incident as an attempted terrorist attack.
Unresolved investigation
The UAE is still investigating whether terrorism, prior planning, or direction was involved. Flydubai said the reason for the altercation remained unclear, and Netanyahu said other possibilities had not been ruled out.
Extent of the danger
Claims of a deliberate attack
Netanyahu said Machchhar’s actions prevented what could have been another 9/11-style crash, and reports said the captain’s actions helped save those aboard.
Unresolved investigation
The articles report the apparent attempt and intervention but do not provide a final official determination of the co-pilot’s intent or exactly how many people were aboard; one account cites 180 people, while another cites 174 passengers.
Key facts
- Flight
- Flydubai Flight FZ1073
- Reported route
- United Arab Emirates to Israel
- Captain
- Smit Machchhar, an Indian pilot
- Co-pilot
- An unnamed Omani co-pilot
- Emergency landing
- Saudi Arabia
- Captain’s treatment
- Initial treatment in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, followed by continued care in Abu Dhabi
- Investigation
- The UAE is examining possible terrorist activity, intent, prior planning, or direction
Quotes
Another unidentified person aboard the aircraft
An unidentified person explaining that the restrained co-pilot would remain aboard the aircraft.
“They had to use earphone cords to tie his hands and then used plastic cuffs. He is lying on the floor and he calls out to the crew 'kill me, kill me'. So, it is clear that he was suicidal and was going to down the plane”
deccanchronicle.com
“After receiving initial medical treatment in a hospital in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, he has now been shifted to Abu Dhabi for continued medical attention and recovery”
news18.com
An unidentified Flydubai crew member
A Flydubai crew member describing the restrained co-pilot and requesting police intervention.
“This is a terrorist, you understand, yes? We need police.”
NDTV
“Doctor, is there a doctor?”
NDTV
Indian Embassy in the UAE
Indian diplomatic mission reporting on the captain’s condition
“Captain Machchhar is in good health and recovering well”
news18.com
Sources
Hit Me So Many Times: New Footage From flydubai Flight Shows Blood
"He Hit Me": Video Shows Chaos On flydubai Flight After Indian Pilot Attacked
'Hit Me So Many Times': New Footage from Flydubai Flight Shows Bloodied Capt Machchhar Whose Heroics Saved 180 Lives
‘He Hit Me’: New Video Captures Chaos Aboard Flydubai Flight After Co-Pilot Attacked Indian Captain
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