Indian pilot survives stabbing, helps foil alleged flydubai crash attempt

A flydubai co-pilot stabbed the Indian captain of a passenger jet and allegedly tried to crash the aircraft carrying 174 people from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday, 30 September, before passengers and crew overpowered him and diverted the plane to Saudi Arabia, Israeli officials said.

The Boeing 737 MAX 8, operating as flight FZ1073, plunged nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds during the struggle before other flydubai pilots travelling aboard the aircraft regained control and landed it safely at Tabuk airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia, according to Reuters and flight-tracking data.

The captain, identified as Indian national Smit Machchhar, survived the attack and was taken to hospital. The suspected attacker, identified by an Israeli official as an Omani national, was arrested by Saudi authorities, according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. His motive remains unknown.

Captain Smit Machchhar is a HERO.

In the face of the gravest danger and despite being seriously injured, he showed immense courage and an unwavering resolve to protect the lives of others.

His valour helped save hundreds of lives and avert a great tragedy.

India is proud of…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 1, 2026

Flydubai has suspended flights to and from Israel pending an investigation, while Israeli authorities have announced plans to tighten security checks on pilots operating flights into the country.

The Dubai-based airline confirmed that an altercation had occurred in the cockpit but stopped short of describing it as an attempted hijacking or terrorist attack.

“At this early stage, the underlying reasons and motives behind this event are unknown and remain subject to a formal investigation,” the airline said, urging against premature speculation.

The aircraft departed Dubai International Airport at 7:05 a.m. UAE time and climbed to a cruising altitude of 34,000 feet. At about 9:21 a.m., while flying near the Saudi-Jordanian border, it began descending sharply, briefly climbed and then entered another steep descent, according to Flightradar24.

The aircraft was flying at about 15,000 feet by 9:33 a.m., with its altitude and ground speed continuing to fluctuate.

At 9:28 a.m., the aircraft transmitted emergency transponder code 7700, indicating a general emergency. Seven minutes later, it switched to code 7500, the internationally recognized signal for unlawful interference, including a possible hijacking.

The aircraft briefly entered Jordanian airspace before reversing course and heading toward Tabuk. Its emergency code subsequently returned to 7700 as it approached the airport.

Israeli officials said the confrontation began when the co-pilot attacked Machchhar in the cockpit. Despite his injuries, the captain managed to release the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to enter and restrain the attacker.

A spokesperson for Netanyahu told Reuters that the captain was lying on the cockpit floor, covered in blood, when he managed to open the door. Passengers who entered found the co-pilot striking the aircraft’s control panel.

My salute to the Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his extraordinary bravery.

Despite being stabbed and seriously injured, he fought back, resisted, opened the cockpit door, and enabled passengers and crew to overpower the attacker — preventing a catastrophic mid-air…

— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) September 30, 2026

Other flydubai pilots travelling aboard the flight subsequently took control of the aircraft and completed the emergency landing.

“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),” the airline said in a statement.

All passengers and crew were accounted for following the landing. Saudi airport authorities said both pilots involved in the confrontation had been hospitalized.

Israeli passenger Yaniv Hayun, who helped overpower the attacker, said he briefly pulled back on the aircraft’s controls before trained crew members assumed command.

Another passenger, Asaf Rajuan, told Reuters that he had acted instinctively to protect his family.

“This is something you do without thinking, just running to save your daughter’s life, your family’s life,” he said.

Rajuan was still nursing a bloodied forehead when he spoke to journalists after arriving in Israel.

This man is a hero.

Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian captain of flydubai Flight 1073, fought back after being stabbed in the cockpit.

Despite being severely injured, he managed to unlock the cockpit door – allowing Israeli passengers and the Emirati crew to intervene and save… pic.twitter.com/x4W3mtQkag

— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) September 30, 2026

Passengers described scenes of panic during the descent, with several believing the aircraft was about to crash. The emergency also caused substantial damage to the aircraft. Images examined by aviation specialists showed that a large portion of its rudder, the movable control surface on the tail, had been torn away.

The cause of the damage has not been established through a completed investigation.

More than 10 hours after the incident, the passengers arrived at Ben Gurion International Airport aboard a replacement flydubai aircraft. Israel’s ambulance service said a 51-year-old man was taken to hospital with upper-body injuries and was in mild condition.

Netanyahu met some of the passengers at the airport and praised those who had helped regain control of the aircraft.

He also commended Machchhar, saying the captain had continued resisting the attacker despite being seriously wounded. The Israeli prime minister described the Indian pilot as “a true hero” and said his actions had prevented a catastrophic accident.

Netanyahu said Saudi authorities were questioning the suspected attacker. An Israeli official identified him as an Omani national, although his identity and nationality have not been independently verified.
There was no immediate comment from Oman.

The Indian Embassy in Riyadh said Machchhar was receiving treatment at a hospital in Tabuk and was in stable condition.

In a statement issued on 30 September, the embassy said its officials and the Indian Consulate in Jeddah were monitoring his condition and coordinating with Saudi authorities.

The mission said it was also in contact with the captain’s family and would continue providing assistance during his recovery. A detailed medical update was awaited.

The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that flight FZ1073 had experienced a security incident that was brought under control, requiring an emergency landing at Tabuk.

The regulator said some crew members had been injured and taken to hospital. Its investigation teams were examining the causes and circumstances of the incident, including operational and security procedures.
The authority urged the public not to circulate unofficial information or anticipate the investigation’s findings.

Our Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah have been following the health condition of Mr Smit Machchhar, the brave Indian pilot of Flydubai flight that was diverted to Tabuk today. He is admitted in a hospital in Tabuk city in northwest Saudi Arabia and receiving necessary…

— India in Saudi Arabia (@IndianEmbRiyadh) September 30, 2026

The circumstances in which the co-pilot obtained the weapon used in the attack remain unclear.

Aviation security specialists said pilots undergo background checks and continuing medical and psychological assessments. Screening requirements are implemented by national regulators and individual airlines under international aviation standards.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency said responsibility for flydubai’s certification and safety oversight rested with the UAE regulator, including compliance with requirements governing flight crews and their fitness to fly.

Israel, meanwhile, said it would tighten security checks on pilots flying into the country, including those employed by foreign carriers.

Netanyahu instructed authorities to increase security on flights operated by Israeli and foreign airlines following the incident.

Flydubai, which operates regular services between Dubai and Tel Aviv, said its suspension of Israel flights would allow authorities to continue investigating the incident. The airline said other scheduled operations across its network were unaffected.

The UAE and Israel established diplomatic relations under the Abraham Accords in 2020, opening direct air routes between the two countries. Flydubai’s Dubai-Tel Aviv services ordinarily cross Saudi Arabian and Jordanian airspace.

Saudi authorities have not publicly disclosed the findings of their questioning of the suspected attacker. Flydubai has not announced when its Israel flights will resume.