INJURED IN COCKPIT ATTACK, INDIAN CAPTAIN HELPS FOIL ATTEMPT TO TAKE OVER FLYDUBAI JET

September 30, 2026

An Indian-origin pilot has been identified as the captain involved in the dramatic cockpit confrontation aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073, which was forced to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after an alleged attempt by the co-pilot to take control of the aircraft.

Captain Smit Machchhar, who has previously worked with SpiceJet, was reportedly attacked by his Omani co-pilot while the Boeing 737 MAX 8 was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Despite suffering injuries, Machchhar resisted the assault as the aircraft entered a dangerous descent.

The flight transmitted emergency signals during the incident, including the international code associated with unlawful interference. The aircraft subsequently diverted to Tabuk, where both pilots were taken to hospital after landing safely.

Passengers and members of the flight crew reportedly intervened after hearing disturbances from the cockpit. They helped overpower and restrain the co-pilot, while another pilot took control of the aircraft and guided it towards the emergency landing.

Machchhar has more than a decade of commercial aviation experience and joined Flydubai in 2022 after spending about 11 years with SpiceJet. Reports indicate that he has accumulated thousands of hours flying Boeing 737 aircraft, including extensive experience as a pilot in command.

The co-pilot, identified by authorities as an Omani national, is under investigation over the circumstances surrounding the cockpit confrontation. The motive behind the alleged attack and the precise sequence of events remain unclear.

All passengers and crew members survived the incident. Investigators are examining the cockpit confrontation, the aircraft's rapid loss of altitude and the circumstances that led to the emergency diversion to Saudi Arabia.