Indian pilot Smit Machchhar averts disaster after co‑pilot stabbing on Flydubai flight
Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot of Flydubai flight FZ1073, fought off a stabbing by his co‑pilot during a Dubai‑to‑Tel Aviv flight on October 1, 2026, and helped guide the aircraft to a safe emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
The attack occurred when the co‑pilot, identified as an Omani national, repeatedly stabbed Machchhar in the cockpit. Witnesses said the plane plunged roughly 14,000 to 16,000 feet in less than 30 seconds, prompting an immediate loss of altitude and a steep descent.
Despite his injuries, Machchhar managed to crawl to the cockpit door, pop the latch and allow passengers to enter the flight deck. Passengers quickly restrained the attacker, preventing a possible hijacking. The Boeing 737, carrying 182 people, was then diverted and landed safely in Tabuk.
Machchhar, recovering in an Abu Dhabi hospital with his head bandaged and tubes in his nose, told Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a televised video call, “I was fighting for my life. At one point, I realized that if I didn’t get up … then passengers would lose their lives.” He added that he recited the Hanuman Chalisa, a Hindu devotional hymn, to summon strength during the crisis.
Modi praised the captain, saying, “Your courage, patience, and presence of mind saved many lives.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the attacker’s arrest in Saudi Arabia, noting that the motive remained unclear.
Machchhar has 17 years of flying experience, including 11 years as a captain and more than 9,750 flying hours logged with SpiceJet before joining Flydubai four years ago. He has been hailed as a hero by world leaders for averting a potential disaster.
Philip Kean, CEO of Mainland Air flight school where Machchhar trained, said the incident underscores a gap in pilot training: “We teach pilots how to take over if a crew member becomes incapacitated, but not how to respond to a stabbing.”
The investigation into the motive and security protocols continues, while Machchhar remains in hospital care and is expected to undergo further treatment before returning to duty.
