Indian-Origin Flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar Stabbed Mid-Air, Fought Back to Protect 180 Passengers

Dubai/Tel Aviv, September 30, 2026: A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was forced to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after a violent confrontation broke out inside the cockpit.

The captain has been identified in multiple Indian media reports as Smit Machchhar, an Indian-origin pilot. Reports say Machchhar was allegedly stabbed by his Omani co-pilot during the mid-air confrontation but fought back and helped prevent the aircraft from being brought down. 

The incident took place aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073, a Boeing 737-8 MAX carrying roughly 180 people. The aircraft was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when it suddenly descended thousands of feet and transmitted emergency signals, including the international 7500 code associated with unlawful interference/hijacking. 

According to reports, passengers heard screams coming from the cockpit and later saw blood after the cockpit door was opened. The aircraft subsequently diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely. Both pilots were reportedly taken to hospital for treatment. 

Reports differ on exactly how the aircraft was brought back under control. Israeli and international reports say passengers and crew members intervened, while other accounts also describe civilian pilots travelling as passengers helping operate or stabilise the aircraft. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the co-pilot had apparently attempted to crash the aircraft after stabbing the captain. However, the precise motive and sequence of events remain under investigation, and authorities have not yet released a complete account. 

Saudi authorities detained the alleged attacker after the emergency landing. The incident is being investigated as a serious aviation-security case.

All passengers were reported safe after the aircraft landed in Saudi Arabia. 

Important: The identification of the captain as Smit Machchhar and some details about his role are based on emerging media reports; the official investigation is still ongoing.