Indian airline captain Smit Machchhar is in stable condition at a hospital in Saudi Arabia after sustaining injuries during a cockpit attack on a Flydubai flight on Wednesday, September 30. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials stated that a pilot aboard Flight FZ1073 stabbed Machchhar in an attempt to crash the Tel Aviv-bound aircraft, leading to a struggle.
The incident occurred as the Boeing 737 MAX 8 was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv with 174 people on board. During the flight, passengers reported the aircraft plummeted 17,400 feet in less than 120 seconds. According to reports, the cockpit door was opened during the confrontation, allowing passengers and crew to enter, subdue the assailant, and provide medical aid to Machchhar.
Two standby pilots who were traveling as passengers took control of the aircraft and diverted it to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated the assailant has been arrested. A passenger who assisted Machchhar, dentist Shota Musaev, told CNN that the pilot had lost consciousness and required immediate intervention to stabilize his blood pressure following massive blood loss.
Machchhar, a 39-year-old father of two from Mumbai, previously spent 11 years with SpiceJet before joining Flydubai. The Indian embassy in Riyadh confirmed that he is receiving medical care and is currently stable. Israeli Consul General to South India Orli Weitzman and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have both issued statements praising Machchhar’s conduct during the flight.
The incident spans multiple jurisdictions, involving an Emirati carrier, an Indian flight crew, a destination in Israel, and an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. While the cost of the diversion and subsequent medical care has not been disclosed, such events typically trigger security reviews by aviation authorities. The coordination between Israel and Saudi Arabia to allow the flight to land in Tabuk represents an instance of regional emergency cooperation between two nations without formal diplomatic ties.
What happens next involves legal and safety investigations. The suspect remains in custody following his arrest. Aviation investigators will likely analyze flight data and cockpit voice recorders. Captain Machchhar continues his recovery in a Saudi Arabian hospital. Flydubai has not issued a statement regarding changes to cockpit protocols following the incident.