Archive · 4 Oct 2026
Pilot Hailed After Flydubai Emergency as BJP Criticizes Congress
A flydubai plane was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when an emergency happened in the cockpit.
Reports say the co-pilot allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar and tried to take control of the plane.
Machchhar was badly hurt but managed to alert people outside the cockpit.
Passengers and two pilots who were traveling on the plane helped stop the attacker and steady the aircraft, according to one report.
The plane descended quickly and landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
There were 174 passengers, including 27 children.
Several Indian political leaders praised Machchhar, and the Indian Embassy said he was stable in hospital.
The BJP criticized Congress leaders over their response, although Congress leaders had also publicly praised the captain.
A News18 report separately said Al-Qaeda-linked material called for similar attacks on aircraft.
Captain Smit Machchhar was seriously injured during an alleged cockpit attack aboard flydubai flight FZ1073, bound from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
The aircraft transmitted emergency signals and descended more than 17,000 feet from 34,000 feet before diverting to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Jairam Ramesh praised Machchhar and the crew; Arvind Kejriwal also commended the captain.
The BJP criticized Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, for what it described as their silence; Congress leaders had publicly praised Machchhar.
A report cited by News18 said Al-Qaeda-linked material praised the alleged takeover attempt and urged attacks on American and Israeli aircraft.
- Who
- Captain Smit Machchhar, the flight crew, passengers and an Omani co-pilot were involved; Indian political leaders later commented.
- What
- Flydubai flight FZ1073 made an emergency descent and diverted after an alleged cockpit attack and attempted takeover.
- When
- The flight emergency occurred on Wednesday; the articles refer to it as September 30. Political reactions were reported on subsequent days.
- Where
- The flight was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv and diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- The aircraft diverted after the reported cockpit incident, emergency signals and steep descent.
Congress and supporters
BJP
Public recognition of Machchhar
Congress and supporters
Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Jairam Ramesh praised Machchhar and the crew; Arvind Kejriwal also lauded the captain.
BJP
BJP leaders said Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, had failed to publicly recognize Machchhar and questioned their response.
BJP's accusation of appeasement
Congress and supporters
Congress publicly praised Machchhar, with Ramesh saying the nation was in awe of his actions.
BJP
BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia accused Congress and the Gandhi family of appeasement politics, suggesting the attacker's religion influenced their response.
- Flight
- Flydubai FZ1073
- Route
- Dubai to Tel Aviv
- Passengers
- 174, including 27 children
- Emergency descent
- More than 17,000 feet from 34,000 feet
- Diversion
- Prince Sultan Bin Abdel Aziz Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
- Captain's condition
- The Indian Embassy said Machchhar was hospitalized in Tabuk and reported stable.
- Reported threat material
- News18, citing the New York Post, reported that Al-Qaeda-linked material called for copycat attacks on American and Israeli airliners.
Sources
Kejriwal praises pilot Machchhar
‘Entire Country Is Proud Of Captain Smit’: BJP Slams Congress Over Silence On Flydubai Incident
Congress says 'entire nation in awe' of flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar after BJP questions Rahul Gandhi’s 'silence'
