Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Shinde Praises Pilot Smit Machchhar for Courage During Flight Emergency
Captain Smit Machchhar was flying a plane from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30.
The plane sent emergency signals and suddenly dropped in altitude.
It was carrying 174 people, including 27 children.
The plane later landed at an airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde praised Machchhar for his bravery.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu relayed an account that a passenger and a crew member entered the cockpit and stopped the pilot from interfering with the plane.
Reports have named an Omani citizen as the alleged attacker, but officials have not confirmed his identity.
The articles say all 174 people were saved.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde praised Flydubai captain Smit Machchhar for his actions during an alleged hijack attempt.
Flydubai flight FZ1073 was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30 when it reportedly sent emergency signals and descended more than 17,000 feet.
The Boeing 737-8, carrying 174 passengers including 27 children, diverted to Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said an Israeli passenger told him the aircraft spun and descended, and that the passenger and a crew member entered the cockpit and overpowered the pilot.
Reports named Omani citizen Hamam al-Hammami as the alleged attacker, but his identity has not been officially confirmed.
- Who
- Captain Smit Machchhar, the captain of Flydubai flight FZ1073; Eknath Shinde praised him.
- What
- The flight reportedly experienced an alleged hijack attempt and a steep descent; Shinde praised Machchhar's actions.
- When
- The flight incident occurred on September 30; Shinde spoke about it on Monday.
- Where
- The flight was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv and diverted to Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- Shinde said Machchhar risked his life to protect people aboard and prevent the aircraft from being hijacked.
Reported accounts
Confirmed information
Alleged cockpit attack
Reported accounts
Netanyahu relayed a passenger's account that the pilot allegedly stabbed Machchhar while interfering with aircraft systems; media reports named Omani citizen Hamam al-Hammami as the alleged attacker.
Confirmed information
The article says the alleged attacker's identity has not been officially confirmed.
How the cockpit was secured
Reported accounts
According to Netanyahu's account, an Israeli passenger and a crew member entered the cockpit and overpowered the pilot.
Confirmed information
The article presents this as Netanyahu's account of what a passenger told him, rather than as an independently confirmed account.
- Flight
- Flydubai flight FZ1073
- Aircraft
- Boeing 737-8
- Route
- Dubai to Tel Aviv
- Incident date
- September 30
- People aboard
- 174 passengers, including 27 children
- Reported descent
- More than 17,000 feet, from an altitude of approximately 34,000 feet
- Diversion airport
- Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
- Pilot experience
- More than 13 years in commercial aviation and over 9,500 flying hours, according to the article