Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Indian Pilot Smit Machchhar Recovering After Cockpit Attack
Captain Smit Machchhar was badly hurt during an incident on a plane flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
Reports say his co-pilot attacked him with a crash axe.
The plane sent emergency signals and began descending quickly.
Though injured, Machchhar reportedly opened the cockpit door so others could help.
The plane landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, with reserve pilots at the controls.
Machchhar was treated in Tabuk and later moved to a hospital in Abu Dhabi.
Indian officials say he had an operation and is now recovering.
Reports differ about the plane’s descent and the alleged reason for the attack.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs and embassy in the UAE say Captain Smit Machchhar is improving and recuperating after an operation in Abu Dhabi.
Reports say Machchhar was seriously injured when his Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked him with a crash axe aboard flydubai Flight FZ1073 on September 30.
The Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight sent emergency signals and descended rapidly; accounts differ on whether it dropped about 16,000 feet or more than 17,000 feet.
Machchhar reportedly opened the cockpit door, enabling others to intervene; reserve pilots landed the plane safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
The co-pilot was taken into custody, and Machchhar was treated in Tabuk before being transferred to Abu Dhabi; reports differ on the motive and whether 174 or 180 people were aboard.
- Who
- Captain Smit Machchhar was injured; reports identify the alleged attacker as his Omani co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami.
- What
- Machchhar was seriously injured in an alleged cockpit attack and is recovering after an operation.
- When
- The incident occurred on September 30; Indian officials gave health updates on October 6 and 7.
- Where
- Aboard flydubai Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv; it landed in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, and Machchhar was later treated in Abu Dhabi.
- Why
- The motive remains unclear in some reports; another account says the co-pilot’s apparent aim was to bring down the aircraft.
Reports noting uncertainty
Other reported account
Alleged motive
Reports noting uncertainty
Some reports say the motive for the attack remains unclear.
Other reported account
One report says the co-pilot’s apparent aim was to bring down the aircraft.
Number aboard
Reports noting uncertainty
Some accounts say the flight carried 174 passengers.
Other reported account
Another account says there were 180 occupants, including 174 passengers.
Aircraft descent
Reports noting uncertainty
One report describes a descent of around 16,000 feet in two minutes.
Other reported account
Other reports describe a drop of more than 17,000 feet from 34,000 feet.
- Pilot
- Captain Smit Machchhar
- Flight
- flydubai Flight FZ1073
- Route
- Dubai to Tel Aviv
- Reported weapon
- A crash axe
- Medical update
- The MEA said Machchhar was recuperating and responding well after an operation in Abu Dhabi.
- Emergency landing
- Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
- People aboard
- One report says 180 occupants, including 174 passengers; other reports mention 174 passengers.
- Reported descent
- Accounts describe a drop of around 16,000 feet in two minutes or more than 17,000 feet from 34,000 feet.
Sources
Flydubai Pilot Smit Machchhar Health Update: Indian Embassy Says He Is ‘Making Steady Progress’
‘Recuperating well’: Indian pilot Smit Machchhar responds to treatment after cockpit attack, says MEA
Captain Smit Machchhar's Health Is Improving: Foreign Ministry
Captain Smit Machchhar’s health is improving: MEA
‘He’s Recuperating Well’: MEA Updates on Capt Smit Machchhar’s Treatment in UAE After Flydubai Attack