Archive · 2 Oct 2026
PM Modi Praises Injured Flydubai Pilot After Attack Foiled
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Captain Smit Machchhar by phone on Friday.
Machchhar was flying a Flydubai plane from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
The articles say the co-pilot allegedly tried to crash or damage the plane.
Machchhar was badly hurt while helping stop the emergency.
The plane dropped more than 17,000 feet before landing at an airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
There were 174 people on board, including 27 children.
Modi said Machchhar’s actions helped save hundreds of lives.
He called the pilot a hero and wished him a fast recovery.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke by phone with Captain Smit Machchhar on Friday and asked about his health.
Machchhar was seriously injured while reportedly stopping his co-pilot from attempting to crash Flydubai flight FZ1073.
The flight descended more than 17,000 feet before diverting from its Dubai-to-Tel Aviv route to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
The aircraft carried 174 passengers, including 27 children, according to the report.
Modi called Machchhar a hero, praised his courage, and wished him a quick recovery.
- Who
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Captain Smit Machchhar, the co-pilot, and passengers and crew aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073.
- What
- Modi spoke with and praised Machchhar, who was seriously injured while reportedly preventing an attempted crash or sabotage of the flight.
- When
- The emergency occurred on Wednesday, and Modi’s phone call took place on Friday.
- Where
- The flight was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv before diverting to Prince Sultan Bin Abdel Aziz Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- Modi called to ask about Machchhar’s health, recognize his bravery, and wish him a quick recovery.
Official Indian account
Account cited by Israeli officials
What happened aboard the aircraft
Official Indian account
Indian government sources and Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Machchhar as foiling an alleged attempt by his co-pilot to crash the flight and saving hundreds of lives.
Account cited by Israeli officials
The report citing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a passenger described the aircraft entering a spin and descending after the pilot carried out a stabbing while allegedly attempting to sabotage the aircraft’s systems.
How the emergency was stopped
Official Indian account
The articles emphasize Machchhar’s courage, patience, and resolve despite serious injuries.
Account cited by Israeli officials
The cited account said a passenger and a crew member broke into the cockpit and together overpowered the pilot involved in the stabbing.
- Prime minister
- Narendra Modi
- Pilot
- Captain Smit Machchhar
- Flight
- Flydubai FZ1073
- Route
- Dubai to Tel Aviv
- Emergency landing
- Prince Sultan Bin Abdel Aziz Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
- Passengers
- 174, including 27 children
- Reported descent
- More than 17,000 feet, from 34,000 feet
