Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Israeli Passengers Help Injured Pilot After Flydubai Cockpit Attack
A pilot was badly hurt during a Flydubai flight.
Reports say his co-pilot attacked him with a knife inside the cockpit.
Even though he was bleeding, the pilot opened the cockpit door.
Passengers then rushed in to help.
An Israeli dentist named Musaev Shota treated the pilot’s wounds.
An Israeli plumber named Yaniv Hayoun also helped with the aircraft’s controls.
The passengers restrained the suspected attacker using headphone cords and plastic ties.
The plane landed in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, and doctors treated the pilot.
Indian officials later said he was stable and being monitored.
Flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar was allegedly stabbed repeatedly by his Omani co-pilot during Flight FZ1073.
Machchhar reportedly suffered severe cuts to his head and hands and lost a large amount of blood.
Machchhar opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to enter and restrain the suspected attacker.
Israeli dentist Musaev Shota treated the pilot, while plumber Yaniv Hayoun briefly took control of the aircraft.
The aircraft made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where Machchhar received treatment and was later reported stable.
- Who
- Flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar was injured; Israeli passengers Musaev Shota and Yaniv Hayoun helped; the suspected attacker was Machchhar’s Omani co-pilot.
- What
- The co-pilot allegedly stabbed Machchhar and reportedly attempted to crash the aircraft; passengers entered the cockpit, restrained him, treated the pilot and helped maintain control of the plane.
- When
- The articles do not specify the date or time of the incident.
- Where
- The incident occurred aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073; the aircraft made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- Passengers intervened to restrain the suspected attacker, help control the aircraft and provide emergency care to the injured pilot.
- Flight
- Flydubai Flight FZ1073
- Injured pilot
- Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian citizen from Mumbai
- Suspected attacker
- Machchhar’s Omani co-pilot
- Passenger helpers
- Israeli dentist Musaev Shota and Israeli plumber Yaniv Hayoun were among those who intervened
- Medical response
- Shota stopped the bleeding and treated Machchhar until professional medical teams took over
- Emergency landing
- Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
- Medical status
- Indian officials said Machchhar was hospitalized in Tabuk and initially reported stable
- People aboard
- Reports said the intervention helped protect 174 people on board
