Archive · 2 Oct 2026
Mumbai Residents Honour Pilot After Cockpit Attack Averts Aviation Tragedy
Captain Smit Machchhar was flying a plane from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
During the flight, his co-pilot reportedly attacked him inside the cockpit.
Even though he was badly hurt, Machchhar crawled to open the cockpit door.
This allowed other crew members to enter and stop the attacker.
The plane quickly lost altitude while the struggle was happening.
The crew then regained control and safely landed the plane in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
All 174 passengers were carried to safety.
People in Machchhar’s Mumbai neighbourhood called him a hero and a saviour.
He is recovering in stable condition after surgery.
Captain Smit Machchhar was seriously injured after his co-pilot reportedly attacked him during Flight FZ1073.
Machchhar crawled to open the cockpit door, allowing crew members to overpower the attacker.
The Boeing 737 MAX 8 lost nearly 14,000 feet in about 30 seconds during the struggle.
The aircraft, carrying 174 passengers, diverted safely to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after issuing a distress call.
Residents of Mumbai’s Chembur neighbourhood praised Machchhar and planned a grand welcome for his return.
- Who
- Captain Smit Machchhar, a flydubai pilot, was injured during an alleged attack by his co-pilot; cabin crew and off-duty flight staff intervened.
- What
- A cockpit attack caused a Boeing 737 MAX 8 to lose altitude before crew members regained control and diverted the aircraft safely.
- When
- The residents’ gathering took place on Thursday morning; Machchhar’s family travelled to Tabuk on Wednesday afternoon.
- Where
- The incident occurred on Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv, which diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia; the tribute took place in Tilak Nagar, Chembur, Mumbai.
- Why
- The flight was diverted after a distress call following the cockpit attack and temporary loss of control.
- Pilot
- Captain Smit Machchhar, a flydubai captain
- Flight
- Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv
- Aircraft
- Boeing 737 MAX 8
- Passengers
- 174
- Diversion
- Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
- Altitude loss
- Nearly 14,000 feet in approximately 30 seconds
- Pilot’s condition
- Stable after surgery in Tabuk