Indian Pilot Survives Mid-Air Attack on Flydubai Flight FZ1073

On September 30, Flydubai flight FZ1073, a Boeing 737 en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv, was hijacked when the co-pilot assaulted Captain Smit Machchhar inside the cockpit. While Machchhar was checking flight data, the co-pilot, who had stepped away to pray, returned and struck Machchhar repeatedly on the back of his head. The blows caused loss of consciousness, blurred vision and injuries to his hand and arm.

First PostThe Hindu

Machchhar recalled a “very hard hit” that he first mistook for a structural failure. The assault continued, and he heard the engines slow as the aircraft descended sharply—approximately 17,000 feet in less than a minute—before the plane entered a steep dive. Despite repeated unconsciousness, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to intervene and restrain the attacker. Two off-duty Flydubai pilots who were passengers then assumed control and diverted the aircraft to Tabuk Airport in north-western Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.

First PostThe Hindu

• September 30 – Attack occurs aboard flight FZ1073; aircraft diverted to Tabuk.

First Post

• October 6 – The Indian Embassy in the UAE reports Machchhar is making “steady progress” and “regaining his health.”

The Hindu

• October 17, 2026 – Machchhar gives interviews to Sky News Arabia and The National from a hospital bed in Abu Dhabi, recounting the assault and his recovery.

The Hindu

• Aircraft: Boeing 737 (Flydubai).

First Post

• Passengers and crew on board: reports vary between 172 individuals and more than 170 individuals.

First Post

• Altitude loss: ? 17,000 feet in under one minute after the first officer’s assault.

First Post

• Injuries: head trauma, hand/arm injuries, intermittent loss of consciousness.

First Post

• The UAE attorney general alleged that the co-pilot intended to crash the plane into the passenger terminal at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport.

The Hindu

• The Indian Embassy confirmed on October 6 that Machchhar’s health was improving.

The Hindu

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump publicly praised Machchhar’s actions, describing him as a hero.

The Hindu

• “I didn’t know at that point what had hit me,” — Mr. Machchhar, captain

The Hindu

• “There was a moment that I realised and I told myself that ‘Smit, do something. You can’t die like this’.” — Mr. Machchhar, captain

The Hindu

• Passenger count differs: one source cites 172 survivors, while another mentions more than 170. Both figures are presented without reconciliation.

First Post

• No public information has been released regarding the co-pilot’s motive beyond the attorney general’s allegation; the investigation remains ongoing.

The Hindu

The incident highlights vulnerabilities in cockpit security, especially concerning the ability of a crew member to physically assault the captain and attempt to seize control. It may prompt airlines and regulators to reassess policies on cockpit access, the use of emergency tools, and monitoring of crew behavior during flights.

First Post

Authorities in the United Arab Emirates continue to investigate the alleged hijacking attempt. The outcome may influence future aviation security guidelines and cockpit procedural reviews across the region.

The Hindu