Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Indian Pilot Praised After Alleged Flydubai Cockpit Attack
A flydubai airplane was traveling from Dubai to Israel when a serious fight began in the cockpit.
Reports say the co-pilot attacked Captain Smit Machchhar and tried to interfere with the plane.
Machchhar was hurt but managed to open the cockpit door.
This let crew members and passengers enter and help stop the co-pilot.
The plane suddenly lost a lot of height during the struggle.
Other pilots and crew members helped regain control of the aircraft.
The plane landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, and passengers were later taken to Israel.
Everyone on board was reported safe, while the pilots received medical treatment.
Officials praised Machchhar, although investigators have not yet established every detail or the motive.
Captain Smit Machchhar was reportedly stabbed by his co-pilot during flydubai Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Israel.
Despite his injuries, Machchhar allegedly opened the cockpit door, allowing crew members and passengers to restrain the co-pilot.
The Boeing 737 lost significant altitude during the struggle before control was restored and the flight diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Reports variously said the aircraft carried 174, more than 170, or as many as 180 people; all passengers were reported safe.
Machchhar, praised by Indian and Israeli leaders, had more than 13 years of Boeing 737 experience after previously working at SpiceJet.
- Who
- Captain Smit Machchhar, his co-pilot, cabin crew members, passengers, and two off-duty pilots who were reportedly traveling as passengers.
- What
- An alleged cockpit attack and attempted interference with the aircraft led to a struggle, a sharp descent, and an emergency diversion.
- When
- Wednesday morning, September 30; reports said the sharp descent began around 10:51 a.m. IST.
- Where
- Flydubai Flight FZ1073 was traveling from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion International Airport and diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- Israeli officials said the co-pilot allegedly tried to sabotage the aircraft and crash it; the motive remains under investigation.
Official Account
Investigative Caution
What happened in the cockpit
Official Account
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli officials said the co-pilot stabbed Machchhar and attempted to interfere with the aircraft’s controls or crash the plane.
Investigative Caution
Flydubai confirmed an incident on the flight deck, but the airline and reports emphasized that the precise sequence of events and the motive remain under investigation.
How the aircraft was saved
Official Account
Accounts said Machchhar opened the cockpit door, enabling crew members and passengers to restrain the co-pilot; some reports also credited two pilots traveling as passengers with helping land the aircraft.
Investigative Caution
The available reports differ on the specific roles played by Machchhar, the crew, passengers, and the off-duty pilots, so the full rescue sequence has not been independently established.
Number of people aboard
Official Account
Israeli officials cited 174 people aboard, and other reports said more than 170 passengers or as many as 180 people were on the flight.
Investigative Caution
The differing figures mean the exact number of people aboard has not been consistently reported.
- Flight
- Flydubai Flight FZ1073
- Route
- Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion International Airport
- Diversion
- The aircraft landed safely in Tabuk, northwestern Saudi Arabia
- People aboard
- Reports cited 174 people, more than 170 passengers, or as many as 180 people
- Aircraft movement
- The Boeing 737 reportedly descended from about 34,000 feet to approximately 15,600 feet; one account said it lost more than 17,400 feet in two minutes
- Machchhar’s experience
- More than 13 years of commercial flying experience and nearly 9,750 Boeing 737 flight hours
- Investigation
- The co-pilot was arrested and questioned by Saudi authorities; flydubai urged against speculation
Sources
Captain Smit Machchhar: The hero Indian pilot who helped save 174 lives on flydubai flight
"Showed Immense Courage": PM Modi Praises flydubai's Pilot Smit Machchhar
From textile engineering to flydubai cockpit: Indian pilot Smit Machchhar hailed as hero
‘Aviation wasn’t a childhood dream’: What flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar said in old interview
