Archive · 2 Oct 2026
New Footage Shows Flydubai Captain After Co-Pilot Attack
A Flydubai plane was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when the co-pilot allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar.
Reports differ on whether the captain was stabbed or struck with another object.
Machchhar was badly hurt but managed to open the cockpit door.
Passengers and other crew members then restrained the co-pilot.
An Israeli dentist helped treat the injured captain.
Other aviators helped control the plane and land it in Saudi Arabia.
The co-pilot was later transferred to the United Arab Emirates for investigation.
Israeli officials suggested he may have been radicalized and suicidal, but authorities have not confirmed the motive.
Machchhar is recovering in a UAE hospital.
Video shows bloodied Captain Smit Machchhar saying the co-pilot hit him repeatedly and injured his hand.
Machchhar allegedly unlocked the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to restrain the co-pilot and regain control of the aircraft.
Israeli dentist Dr Shota Musayev provided first aid, while other passengers and aviators helped stabilize the flight.
Flydubai Flight FZ1073 diverted from its Dubai-to-Tel Aviv route and landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
The UAE-led investigation is examining possible terrorist intent, planning or outside direction, while the motive remains unconfirmed.
- Who
- Captain Smit Machchhar, an unnamed Omani co-pilot, passengers, crew members, Dr Shota Musayev and investigators were involved.
- What
- The co-pilot allegedly attacked Machchhar and attempted to take control of or crash the aircraft; passengers and crew intervened.
- When
- The incident occurred during Flydubai Flight FZ1073, with footage and updates published on October 2, 2026.
- Where
- The flight traveled from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, toward Tel Aviv, Israel, before landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia; Machchhar was later treated in the UAE.
- Why
- Authorities are investigating possible terrorist intent, prior planning, suicidal intent or outside direction; no final motive has been established.
Attempted Terrorist Attack
Motive Still Unconfirmed
Nature of the incident
Attempted Terrorist Attack
Israeli officials described the episode as an attempted terrorist or jihadist attack and said the co-pilot intended to bring down the aircraft.
Motive Still Unconfirmed
The UAE investigation remains ongoing, and Flydubai said the reason for the altercation was unclear.
Radicalization and motive
Attempted Terrorist Attack
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the co-pilot had undergone Islamist radical indoctrination and repeatedly called for someone to kill him, which he interpreted as suicidal intent.
Motive Still Unconfirmed
Netanyahu also said it was too early to determine whether Iran was involved, while investigators are examining other explanations and whether the suspect acted alone.
Details of the attack
Attempted Terrorist Attack
Israeli accounts said the co-pilot attacked Machchhar while standing over the controls and allegedly tried to crash the plane.
Motive Still Unconfirmed
Reports differ about the weapon and exact sequence: accounts variously describe stabbing, hitting or an axe, while investigators have not publicly identified the object used.
- Flight
- Flydubai Flight FZ1073
- Route
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to Tel Aviv, Israel
- Captain
- Smit Machchhar, an Indian pilot
- Co-pilot
- An unnamed suspect reported by an Omani official to hold Omani citizenship
- Emergency landing
- Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
- Captain's condition
- Stable and recovering in a UAE hospital after initial treatment in Tabuk
- Investigation
- The UAE is examining possible terrorist activity, intent, prior planning or outside direction
- Reported passenger count
- Accounts cite either 174 or 180 people aboard
Sources
'Capt Machchhar told me, I don't want to die here'
Hit Me So Many Times: New Footage From flydubai Flight Shows Blood
‘Kill me, kill me’: Flydubai co-pilot ‘used feet to destroy controls’; Netanyahu cites ‘radical indoctrination’
‘He tried to crash the plane:’ New video shows bloodied Captain Smit Machchhar after chaos on flydubai flight
"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
