Archive · 10 Oct 2026
NIA Registers Case After Alleged Cockpit Attack on Flydubai Flight
India’s National Investigation Agency has opened a case about an attack on a pilot during a Flydubai flight.
The article says the co-pilot allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar with an axe.
Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, and passengers and off-duty crew members helped stop the co-pilot.
The plane dropped quickly and then made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Everyone on board got off safely.
Machchhar is recovering in a hospital in Abu Dhabi.
UAE officials say the co-pilot had planned a separate attack involving Ben Gurion Airport.
They say their investigation found signs of his alleged radicalisation dating back to 2017.
India’s National Investigation Agency registered a case into an attack on Captain Smit Machchhar aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073.
The article says co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami allegedly attacked Machchhar with an axe on September 30.
Machchhar opened the cockpit door, and passengers and off-duty crew members restrained the co-pilot.
The plane reportedly descended about 16,000 feet in two minutes before diverting to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where all 180 people disembarked safely.
UAE investigators allege the co-pilot planned to crash an aircraft into Ben Gurion Airport’s passenger terminal and traced signs of his radicalisation to 2017.
- Who
- Captain Smit Machchhar, co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami, and the National Investigation Agency.
- What
- The NIA registered a case into an alleged cockpit attack; UAE officials also described an alleged plan to crash an aircraft into an airport terminal.
- When
- The article says the flight incident took place on September 30; it describes the planned Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight as scheduled for September 30, 2026.
- Where
- Aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073; the aircraft diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The alleged planned target was Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv.
- Why
- UAE officials allege the co-pilot intended to seize control of an aircraft and cause maximum casualties.
- Investigating agency
- India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA)
- Flight
- Flydubai Flight FZ1073
- Reported incident date
- September 30; the article does not specify the year for the attack
- Aircraft descent
- About 16,000 feet within two minutes
- Emergency landing
- Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
- People aboard
- 180; all disembarked safely, according to the article
- Alleged planned target
- Ben Gurion Airport passenger terminal in Tel Aviv
- Reported planned flight date
- September 30, 2026, for a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight