Archive · 2 Oct 2026
Flydubai Attack Highlights Five Other Unusual Cockpit Incidents
The articles describe several unusual problems that happened inside airplane cockpits.
In the most serious case, a Flydubai co-pilot allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar during a flight to Tel Aviv.
The plane rapidly lost altitude while the struggle was happening.
Machchhar said he fought back and opened the cockpit door so other people could help.
Passengers and crew reportedly restrained the attacker.
The plane later made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Other reports describe pilots allowing visitors into cockpits or arguing with colleagues.
SpiceJet pilots were criticized after food and a drink appeared in the cockpit.
An Air India plane was diverted after its cockpit door became jammed.
A Flydubai co-pilot allegedly attacked and stabbed Captain Smit Machchhar during Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
Machchhar reportedly fought back and opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to restrain the attacker before the aircraft diverted to Tabuk.
Reports differ on the descent: one cites a fall from 33,000 to 17,400 feet in two minutes, while another says nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds.
Other cases involved unauthorized cockpit visitors on Jet Airways and Kuwait Airways flights, including a visit allegedly involving Chloe Mafia.
Additional incidents included a Jet Airways cockpit fight, SpiceJet pilots photographed with food and a drink, and an Air India cockpit-door malfunction.
- Who
- Captain Smit Machchhar, his Flydubai co-pilot, passengers, crew members and pilots involved in the other reported incidents.
- What
- The reports cover an alleged Flydubai cockpit attack and five other incidents involving cockpit access, pilot conduct or a malfunctioning door.
- When
- The incidents span 2013 to 2023; Machchhar recounted the Flydubai incident on Friday during a video call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- Where
- The incidents involved a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight diverted to Tabuk, as well as flights connected with India, Kuwait, London, New York and airspace over Iran and Pakistan.
- Why
- The motive for the alleged Flydubai attack remains unclear, while the other incidents were linked to unauthorized access, an alleged altercation, cockpit distractions or a door malfunction.
- Flydubai flight
- Flight FZ1073 was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when the alleged cockpit attack occurred.
- Reported descent
- One report said the aircraft fell from 33,000 feet to about 17,400 feet in two minutes; another reported a nearly 14,000-foot drop in less than 30 seconds.
- Co-pilot identity
- The injured pilot was identified as Indian Captain Smit Machchhar.
- Emergency landing
- The aircraft was diverted to Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia.
- Jet Airways access case
- Two pilots were grounded in 2018 after allowing a female friend into the cockpit of a Goa-Mumbai flight.
- Kuwait Airways case
- A pilot was penalized in 2013 after allegedly allowing former porn star Chloe Mafia and a friend into the cockpit.
- Other reported incidents
- The reports also describe a 2018 Jet Airways altercation, 2023 SpiceJet cockpit-food controversy and a 2013 Air India cockpit-door malfunction.
