Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Indian Pilot Praised After Alleged Flydubai Crash Attempt
A flydubai plane was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
Reports say the co-pilot attacked Captain Smit Machchhar during the flight.
The plane sent emergency signals and quickly dropped in altitude.
Passengers reportedly helped restrain the co-pilot.
The Boeing 737 then landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Machchhar was badly hurt and taken to a hospital.
The Indian Embassy said he was stable, although a complete health update had not yet been given.
Several Indian leaders praised him for helping protect the passengers and crew.
Captain Smit Machchhar was praised for allegedly preventing his co-pilot from crashing flydubai flight FZ1073.
The flight sent emergency signals Wednesday and descended more than 17,000 feet from 34,000 feet.
Reports said Machchhar was seriously injured, with one account saying the co-pilot stabbed him in the cockpit.
Passengers reportedly restrained the attacker as the Boeing 737 made an emergency diversion to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
The Indian Embassy said Machchhar was hospitalized in Tabuk and reported stable, while Indian leaders wished him a full recovery.
- Who
- Captain Smit Machchhar, the co-pilot, passengers and crew, and Indian leaders including Hemant Soren, Arvind Kejriwal, and YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.
- What
- An alleged co-pilot attack and attempted crash involving flydubai flight FZ1073 was reportedly thwarted, followed by an emergency diversion.
- When
- The incident occurred Wednesday; the reports were published on October 1.
- Where
- The flight traveled from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, toward Tel Aviv, Israel, before diverting to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- Reports described the co-pilot’s actions as an apparent attempt to crash the aircraft, prompting emergency procedures and a diversion.
- Flight
- flydubai flight FZ1073
- Aircraft
- Boeing 737
- Route
- Dubai to Tel Aviv
- Altitude change
- More than 17,000-foot descent from 34,000 feet
- Diversion airport
- Prince Sultan Bin Abdel Aziz Airport in Tabuk
- People aboard
- 174, according to one report
- Captain’s condition
- Hospitalized in Tabuk and reported stable; a full update was awaited
Sources
Kejriwal praises Indian pilot Smit Machchhar for foiling flydubai crash attempt
J’khand CM lauds Indian pilot Smit Machchhar for thwarting flydubai crash attempt
Jagan Praises Captain Smit Machchhar for Averting Major Mid-Air Disaster