Archive · 10 Oct 2026
NIA Probes Flydubai Cockpit Attack Under Anti-Hijacking Laws
India’s National Investigation Agency is investigating an attack on a pilot during a Flydubai flight.
The incident happened on September 30, while the plane was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
The co-pilot allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar in the cockpit.
Reports differ about whether the attacker used a stabbing instrument or an emergency crash axe.
Passengers and crew helped restrain the co-pilot.
Other pilots took control, and the plane landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
India registered a case under laws that cover hijacking and unlawful activities.
Investigators are trying to find out why the attack happened and whether anyone else was involved.
The investigation has not established a motive or proved a wider conspiracy.
India’s National Investigation Agency registered a case on October 9 over the September 30 attack on Captain Smit Machchhar aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073.
The case invokes the Anti-Hijacking Act, 2016, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act; the Centre directed the NIA to investigate.
The Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked Machchhar during a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight; reports describe the weapon as a stabbing instrument or an emergency crash axe.
Passengers and crew restrained the co-pilot, and other pilots took control before the aircraft landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
The NIA is examining the motive and possible wider links; the case registration does not establish a motive or prove a broader conspiracy.
- Who
- Captain Smit Machchhar was allegedly attacked by the Omani co-pilot aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073; India’s National Investigation Agency is investigating.
- What
- The NIA registered a case to investigate the alleged cockpit attack and apparent attempt to hijack or crash the aircraft.
- When
- The attack occurred on September 30; the NIA registered the case on October 9.
- Where
- Aboard a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv; the aircraft landed in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- The Centre directed the NIA to investigate alleged offences under the cited laws. The attack’s motive remains under investigation.
Possible wider links
What has been established
Motive and possible conspiracy
Possible wider links
The NIA is examining possible terror motives, radicalisation links, and whether the co-pilot acted alone or as part of a wider conspiracy. UAE authorities were reported to believe he planned to crash the aircraft at Ben Gurion Airport and acted alone.
What has been established
The FIR does not establish a motive or identify additional participants in a conspiracy. The NIA’s examination of possible links remains an investigation, not proof that a wider plot existed.
Weapon used
Possible wider links
Some reports describe the co-pilot as stabbing Machchhar.
What has been established
Other reports say the co-pilot attacked Machchhar with an emergency crash axe; the accounts differ on the weapon.
- Flight
- Flydubai flight FZ1073
- Incident date
- September 30
- NIA case registered
- October 9
- Route
- Dubai to Tel Aviv
- People on board
- 174 passengers and six crew members, according to reports
- Laws cited
- Anti-Hijacking Act, 2016, and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967
- Landing
- The aircraft landed safely at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
- Captain’s condition
- Machchhar underwent surgery and was reported to be recovering in Abu Dhabi
Sources
Flydubai Terror Attack: NIA Invokes Anti-Hijacking Act, UAPA In Flydubai Cockpit Attack On Captain Smit Machchhar
NIA files FIR in Flydubai hijack attempt and attack on Smit Machchhar, probes ‘larger conspiracy’
Flydubai Hijack Attempt: NIA Files FIR Under Anti-Hijacking Act, UAPA; Probes Terror Conspiracy
National Investigation Agency to probe attack on flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar under anti-hijacking law, UAPA - Telegraph India
India Registers Case In flydubai Incident Under Anti-Hijacking, Terror Laws
NIA to Investigate Mid-Air Attack on Captain Smit Machchhar on Flydubai Flight
NIA to probe mid-air attack on Captain Machchhar
