Archive · 3 Oct 2026
Flydubai Captain Recounts Cockpit Attack During Call With Modi
Captain Smit Machchhar was flying a plane from Dubai to Tel Aviv when his co-pilot allegedly attacked him.
Machchhar was badly hurt and fell to the cockpit floor.
He realized the plane was going down and tried to open the cockpit door.
He managed to open it, allowing passengers and crew to come in and help.
Other pilots on board also helped regain control of the plane.
The aircraft landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Machchhar later told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he recited the Hanuman Chalisa during the frightening event.
Modi praised him and wished him a quick recovery.
Investigators are still examining what happened and why.
Captain Smit Machchhar told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that his co-pilot allegedly stabbed him aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073 on September 30.
Seriously injured on the cockpit floor, Machchhar said he realized the aircraft was descending and pushed himself to open the cockpit door.
Passengers and crew entered and helped restrain the co-pilot; reports also say a second pair of Flydubai pilots helped take control.
The Boeing 737, carrying about 174 people according to several reports, diverted from its Dubai–Tel Aviv route and landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
During a video call on October 2, Machchhar said reciting the Hanuman Chalisa gave him strength; he was receiving treatment in Abu Dhabi as investigations continued.
- Who
- Captain Smit Machchhar, his co-pilot, passengers, crew and other Flydubai pilots; Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Machchhar afterward.
- What
- Machchhar said his co-pilot allegedly stabbed him; he opened the cockpit door, enabling others to intervene and help regain control of the aircraft.
- When
- The incident occurred on September 30; Modi spoke with Machchhar on October 2.
- Where
- Aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073, traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv; the aircraft landed in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, and Machchhar later received treatment in Abu Dhabi.
- Why
- The co-pilot’s motive has not been established and remains under investigation.
Pilot’s Actions
Shared Response and Unresolved Details
Who helped avert disaster?
Pilot’s Actions
Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Machchhar’s courage and credited his actions with helping save lives.
Shared Response and Unresolved Details
Machchhar said others played an equally important role; accounts describe passengers, crew and other pilots helping restrain the co-pilot or regain control.
What was the co-pilot’s motive?
Pilot’s Actions
Some reports characterized the alleged attack as an attempt to crash the aircraft or take control of it.
Shared Response and Unresolved Details
The motive has not been established, and authorities are continuing to investigate the incident and its circumstances.
How far did the aircraft descend?
Pilot’s Actions
Some accounts said it descended nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds.
Shared Response and Unresolved Details
Another report described a descent of more than 17,000 feet from about 34,000 feet; published accounts differ on the figure.
- Flight
- Flydubai Flight FZ1073
- Route
- Dubai to Tel Aviv; diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
- Aircraft
- Boeing 737; reports differ on the precise model
- People aboard
- Reports cited 174 people, including 27 children; other accounts said more than 170
- Reported descent
- Accounts differed: some reported nearly 14,000 feet in under 30 seconds, while another described more than 17,000 feet from 34,000 feet
- Landing
- Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Airport in Tabuk
- Medical care
- Machchhar was treated in Tabuk before being transferred to Abu Dhabi
- Investigation
- Authorities in Saudi Arabia and the UAE are investigating; reports said the motive remains unclear
Sources
I fought for life, but refused to let others die: Smit tells Modi
PM Modi speaks with Flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar after cockpit incident - CNBC TV18
‘I was reciting Hanuman Chalisa’: ‘Hero’ pilot Captain Smit Machchaar narrates flydubai stabbing incident to PM Modi
PM Modi speaks to Flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar, applauds his courage after brutal cockpit attack | Watch video
PM Modi Speaks To Flydubai Pilot Smit Machchhar, Who Shares What Gave Him Courage During Attack
Machchhar: I knew I was not going to let others die
Indian pilot tells PM Modi he opened flydubai cockpit door during attack
'I Was Injured But Couldn't Let Passengers Die': Captain Smit Machchhar To PM Modi
Indian pilot attacked on flydubai flight tells Modi: ‘I was not going to let others die’
