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Indian Pilot Stabbed by Omani Co-Pilot Mid-Air, Plane Diverted to Saudi Arabia
An Indian Flydubai captain, Smit Machchhar, was reportedly stabbed by his co-pilot during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv
Indian Pilot Stabbed Mid-Air, Passengers Help Stop Co-Pilot on Flydubai Flight
What Happened?
On 30 September 2026, Flydubai flight FZ1073 was flying from Dubai, UAE, to Tel Aviv, Israel, when a serious incident took place inside the cockpit.
The flight was carrying 174 people. According to Israeli officials, the Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked and stabbed the Indian captain, Smit Machchhar, and attempted to take control of the aircraft. The exact motive remains under investigation.
Plane Suddenly Lost Altitude
The aircraft was flying at around 34,000 feet when it suddenly went into a steep descent.
Flight-tracking data showed the plane dropped by around 14,300 feet in less than a minute before the situation was brought under control. The aircraft also transmitted emergency signals.
The incident initially raised fears of a possible hijacking, and Israeli authorities put their security forces on alert.
Passengers Enter Cockpit
Despite being seriously injured, Captain Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door. A crew member and passengers then entered the cockpit and helped restrain the co-pilot. Other Flydubai pilots who were travelling as passengers also helped control the aircraft.
The plane was diverted to Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely at around 9:45 AM local time. All 174 people on board survived.
Captain Smit Machchhar
Smit Machchhar is an Indian national and has been a Flydubai captain since June 2022. Before joining Flydubai, he worked with SpiceJet for around 11 years, including as a senior commander and line training captain.
Machchhar was taken to hospital in Tabuk and underwent surgery. He was later reported to be in stable condition. The co-pilot was also taken to hospital and arrested after the aircraft landed.
Praise From Modi and Netanyahu
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Captain Machchhar and the passengers who helped stop the attack.
Netanyahu credited Machchhar with helping prevent a major disaster and praised his actions after he was seriously injured.
The incident remains under investigation, including the motive behind the attack.