2 hrs ago
Indian Captain, Co-Pilot Injured in Flydubai Cockpit Incident
A Flydubai plane was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when something went wrong in the cockpit.
Reports say the co-pilot attacked the captain and may have tried to make the plane crash.
The captain was hurt but fought back and helped open the cockpit door.
Passengers and other crew members then entered and stopped the attacker.
Two off-duty pilots may also have helped control the plane.
The aircraft dropped quickly and sent emergency signals.
It landed safely at an airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
The captain was taken to a hospital and was reported to be stable.
Officials praised him, but investigators have not yet confirmed the attacker’s motives or the full sequence of events.
Captain Smit Machchhar reportedly fought off an Omani co-pilot during Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
The aircraft carrying either 174 or more than 180 passengers made a sharp descent after an alleged cockpit altercation and transmitted emergency signals.
Passengers, crew members and reportedly two off-duty pilots helped secure the cockpit before the aircraft landed safely at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia.
Machchhar and the first officer were injured, and the captain was hospitalized in Tabuk in stable condition, according to the Indian Embassy.
Flydubai said the incident’s motives remain unknown and are subject to a formal investigation, despite Israeli officials describing it as a thwarted terrorist attack attempt.
- Who
- Captain Smit Machchhar, the Omani co-pilot, passengers and flydubai crew members were involved; Israeli officials and Indian diplomatic missions also responded.
- What
- An in-flight cockpit altercation reportedly involved a stabbing and an alleged attempt to seize control or crash the aircraft.
- Where
- The flight was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv before diverting to Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia.
- When
- The incident occurred on a Wednesday and was reported on October 1, 2026.
- Why
- The reason for the alleged attack remains unknown and is subject to a formal investigation.
Attack and Heroism Claims
Investigation and Uncertainty
Nature of the incident
Attack and Heroism Claims
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz described the event as an attempted attack or terrorist attack in which the co-pilot allegedly tried to crash the aircraft.
Investigation and Uncertainty
Flydubai confirmed an in-flight altercation but said the motives and underlying reasons were unknown and warned against premature speculation.
Who regained control
Attack and Heroism Claims
Netanyahu and Israeli passengers said Machchhar opened the cockpit door, while passengers and crew overpowered the attacker; reports also credited two off-duty pilots with helping fly the aircraft.
Investigation and Uncertainty
Accounts differ over the precise sequence and roles of the captain, passengers, crew members and off-duty pilots, and the articles do not provide a completed official investigation.
Passenger numbers and outcome
Attack and Heroism Claims
Netanyahu said Machchhar saved 174 people, while other reports described more than 180 passengers and mostly Israeli nationals aboard.
Investigation and Uncertainty
Flydubai specifically reported 174 passengers, including 27 children, and said all passengers and crew were safe and accounted for.
Key facts
- Flight
- Flydubai FZ1073
- Route
- Dubai to Tel Aviv
- Reported passenger count
- Flydubai said the flight carried 174 passengers, including 27 children; other reports said more than 180 people were aboard.
- Diversion
- The aircraft landed at Tabuk airport, also identified as Prince Sultan Bin Abdel Aziz Airport.
- Reported altitude change
- Flight-tracking data showed a descent of more than 17,000 feet in less than two minutes.
- Captain’s condition
- Smit Machchhar was hospitalized in Tabuk and reported to be in stable condition.
- Investigation status
- Flydubai said the underlying reasons and motives were unknown and remained under formal investigation.
Quotes
Benjamin Netanyahu
Prime Minister of Israel
“The spinning stopped. It took some — I don’t know, it felt like an eternity, but I think it was two minutes, at least two or three minutes, during which the plane was simply diving and spinning like crazy.”
thehindubusinessline.com
“He saved the lives of 174 people, including Israeli citizens and other nationals. I wish Captain Machchhar a speedy and full recovery. He is a true hero.”
thehindubusinessline.com
flydubai
The airline operating flight FZ1073
“The aircraft was successfully secured by on-duty flydubai crew travelling on the flight, who diverted and landed the aircraft safely at Tabuk Airport (TUU). All passengers and crew are safe and accounted for.”
thehindubusinessline.com
Sources
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