Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Indian Captain Stabilizes Flydubai Flight After Cockpit Stabbing
A Flydubai plane was flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv when a fight began in the cockpit.
Reports say the co-pilot stabbed Captain Smit Machchhar.
The plane then dropped thousands of feet and sent emergency signals.
Even though he was hurt, Machchhar reportedly opened the cockpit door.
Passengers and crew entered and helped stop the co-pilot.
Other pilots who were travelling on the plane helped fly it.
The aircraft landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, instead of continuing to Tel Aviv.
Machchhar was taken to a hospital and was reported to be stable.
Israeli officials called the incident a possible terrorist attack, but Flydubai said the reasons were still being investigated.
Captain Smit Machchhar, identified as an Indian Flydubai pilot, was stabbed during Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
The aircraft descended sharply and transmitted emergency codes 7700 and 7500, indicating a serious emergency and possible unlawful interference.
Machchhar reportedly opened the locked cockpit door despite his injuries, allowing passengers and crew to enter and restrain the co-pilot.
Additional Flydubai pilots travelling as passengers helped regain control, and the Boeing 737 MAX 8 landed safely at Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Machchhar was reported stable in a Tabuk hospital; the motive remains under investigation, while Flydubai urged against premature speculation.
- Who
- Captain Smit Machchhar, the co-pilot identified by Israeli officials as an Omani national, passengers, cabin crew and additional Flydubai pilots were involved.
- What
- An alleged cockpit stabbing and attempted interference with the aircraft's controls caused Flight FZ1073 to descend sharply, divert and land in Saudi Arabia.
- When
- The incident occurred on Wednesday, September 30; Machchhar's stable condition was reported on Thursday, October 1.
- Where
- The flight departed Dubai for Tel Aviv and landed at Tabuk Airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- The motive has not been established. Israeli officials described the incident as a possible terrorist attack, while Flydubai said the underlying reasons remained under formal investigation.
Israeli Officials' Characterization
Flydubai's Cautious Account
Nature of the incident
Israeli Officials' Characterization
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz described the event as a serious security incident or attempted terrorist attack, alleging that the co-pilot tried to crash the aircraft.
Flydubai's Cautious Account
Flydubai confirmed an in-flight cockpit incident but said the reasons and motives were unknown and should be determined through a formal investigation.
Who secured the aircraft
Israeli Officials' Characterization
Israeli officials and passenger accounts credited Israeli passengers, including Yaniv Hayun, with entering the cockpit and overpowering the alleged attacker.
Flydubai's Cautious Account
Flydubai emphasized that on-duty or reserve Flydubai crew travelling on the aircraft secured the flight deck and safely landed the plane; reports also described help from passengers and additional pilots.
Pilot identities
Israeli Officials' Characterization
Israeli and Indian media reports identified the captain as Indian pilot Smit Machchhar and the co-pilot as an Omani national.
Flydubai's Cautious Account
Flydubai said it had not released the pilots' identities or nationalities, so some details remained unconfirmed by the airline.
- Flight
- Flydubai Flight FZ1073
- Aircraft
- Boeing 737 MAX 8, according to the reports
- Passengers
- Reports cited either 174 passengers, including 27 children, or approximately 180 people
- Emergency signals
- The aircraft transmitted 7700 and later 7500, the latter indicating possible unlawful interference
- Descent
- Reports described a drop of more than 14,000 feet in about 30 seconds, while other analyses measured a larger descent over a longer sequence
- Captain's condition
- The Indian Embassy in Riyadh said Machchhar was stable and receiving treatment at a hospital in Tabuk
- Flight outcome
- The aircraft landed safely in Tabuk; passengers later continued to Israel on a replacement aircraft
Sources
Who is Smit Machchhar? The Indian pilot who helped avert a 9/11-style attack on Israel
Inside The Cockpit: How Captain Smit Machchhar Opened The Door After Being Stabbed On Flydubai Flight
Tel Aviv-bound Flydubai captain stabbed by co-pilot identified as Indian national Smit Machchhar
Indian Flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar stable, recovering in Saudi hospital after co-pilot stabs him mid-flight
