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EYE ON INDIA OCTOBER 09, 2026 | The Indian Eye 8

Pilot stabbed mid-air:

What really happened on the

flydubai flight to Tel Aviv?

Captain Smit Machchhar was injured after his co-pilot allegedly attacked him with a knife,

but managed to open the cockpit door and help prevent a potentially catastrophic incident

OUR BUREAU

Dubai / Mumbai
A
routine flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel
Aviv turned into a mid-air emergency after
the aircraft’s captain was allegedly attacked
by his co-pilot, who stabbed him and attempted to
take control of the plane.
Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot
commanding flydubai flight FZ1073, was serious-
ly injured in the incident but managed to respond
despite his wounds. According to the account pro-
vided by Indian officials, his actions enabled pas-
sengers and crew members to intervene and helped
prevent what could have become a major aviation
disaster.
The flight was carrying 174 passengers when
the incident occurred while the aircraft was en
route from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The exact circum-
stances surrounding the alleged attack and what
prompted it have not been detailed in the informa-
tion released so far.
Machchhar was attacked inside the cockpit
by his co-pilot, who allegedly stabbed him and at-
tempted to take control of the aircraft. The captain,
despite being injured, managed to unlock the cock-
pit door. This allowed passengers and members of
the cabin crew to enter the cockpit and intervene.
The aircraft was subsequently diverted from People hold placards during Ganga aarti for the health and long life of Flydubai Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar at
its planned route and landed safely in Tabuk, Sau- Dashashwamedh Ghat , in Varanasi on Thursday (ANI Photo)
di Arabia. Machchhar was taken to a hospital in
Tabuk for treatment.
The incident has since drawn attention to the tastrophe. He also met members of the pilot’s fam- The incident raises questions about how an
critical role played by the captain after he was at- ily, with the meeting facilitated with the support of alleged cockpit assault could occur during a com-
tacked. Rather than losing control of the situation, UAE authorities. mercial flight and how the crew and passengers
Machchhar was able to take the action necessary to Mittal said the Indian Embassy remained in responded once the captain was injured. However,
open the cockpit, allowing others on board to assist. constant contact with UAE officials to ensure that the available account does not yet provide a full ex-
The Indian Embassy in the UAE has been Machchhar received the assistance and medical planation of the sequence of events inside the cock-
closely following his recovery. Ambassador to the care required during his recovery. pit or the alleged co-pilot’s motive.
UAE Deepak Mittal visited Machchhar at a UAE The pilot’s condition has also prompted recog- For now, the immediate outcome is clear: the
hospital along with his family and said the pilot was nition in his home state of Gujarat. Chief Minister aircraft was diverted safely, all 174 passengers sur-
in stable condition and recovering well. Bhupendra Patel announced that the state govern- vived, and Machchhar is recovering in hospital.
“I was very relieved to see, and very reassured, ment would honour Machchhar with the Visisht What began as a normal Dubai-Tel Aviv flight
that he’s doing well,” Mittal told Prasar Bharati. He Gujarat Garima Award for his bravery. therefore became a serious aviation emergency in
said the captain was talking and chatting despite some Patel said Machchhar had saved the lives of the which the captain himself became the victim of an
discomfort and was receiving good medical care. 174 passengers despite being injured in the attack. alleged attack. His ability to respond while injured,
The ambassador described Machchhar as a Describing him as a “valiant son of Gujarat”, the open the cockpit and enable others to intervene
“brave son of India” and credited his actions with chief minister said his actions had brought honour proved crucial in bringing the aircraft safely to the
saving hundreds of lives and preventing a major ca- to both the state and the country. ground.

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