Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Gujarat To Honour Pilot Smit Machchhar After Flydubai Cockpit Attack
Captain Smit Machchhar was flying a Flydubai plane toward Israel.
During the flight, his co-pilot allegedly attacked him inside the cockpit.
Even though he was badly hurt, Captain Machchhar opened the cockpit door to get help.
Passengers and crew then entered and helped stop the alleged attacker.
The plane landed safely in Saudi Arabia, and all 174 passengers survived.
Gujarat plans to give Captain Machchhar a bravery award.
Officials also announced a reported cash reward of Rs 25 lakh.
Leaders and people in India and Israel have praised him and wished him a quick recovery.
Gujarat announced the Visisht Gujarat Garima Award for Captain Smit Machchhar.
Machchhar was allegedly stabbed by his co-pilot aboard a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight.
Despite his injuries, he opened the cockpit door and helped passengers intervene.
The aircraft carrying 174 passengers made a safe emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
The state also announced a reported Rs 25 lakh reward and recovery prayers.
- Who
- Captain Smit Machchhar, Flydubai’s Indian pilot, was injured during the incident.
- What
- He allegedly thwarted a cockpit attack by opening the door and helping passengers and crew regain control of the aircraft.
- When
- The incident occurred on September 30; Gujarat announced the award on Thursday.
- Where
- The flight was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv and landed safely at Tabuk in Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- Gujarat said the award recognizes Machchhar’s courage in helping save the 174 people aboard the flight.
Heroic Intervention
Investigation Underway
What happened in the cockpit
Heroic Intervention
Accounts from Gujarat officials, passengers and international leaders say Machchhar was stabbed, opened the cockpit door despite his injuries and helped prevent a major tragedy.
Investigation Underway
The co-pilot’s alleged attack, the circumstances of the confrontation and its motive remain under investigation; Flydubai has confirmed only that an altercation occurred in the flight deck.
How the aircraft was stabilized
Heroic Intervention
Reports say Machchhar’s actions allowed passengers and crew to enter the cockpit, while two passengers helped take control before the safe landing.
Investigation Underway
The articles do not provide an independent final account establishing each person’s precise role in controlling the aircraft.
- State award
- Visisht Gujarat Garima Award
- Reported cash reward
- Rs 25 lakh
- Flight
- Flydubai flight FZ1073, a Boeing 737 MAX 8
- Route
- Dubai to Tel Aviv
- People aboard
- 174 passengers, including 27 children
- Emergency landing
- Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
- Pilot’s condition
- Reportedly stable and receiving treatment in Saudi Arabia
- Investigation
- Flydubai confirmed an altercation occurred in the flight deck and said it is being investigated.
Sources
Gujarat To Honour Capt. Smit Machchhar With State Award For Saving 174 Lives After Stabbing On Flydubai Flight
Gujarat CM announces ‘Visisht Gujarat Garima Award’ for Indian pilot Smit Machchhar
Gujarat To Honour Flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar With 'Vishisht Gujarat Garima Award', Rs 25 Lakh Reward
