Stories
Indian Pilot Hailed as Hero for Preventing Mid-Air Disaster on flydubai Flight
- •Captain Smit Machchhar prevented a potential 9/11-like disaster on flydubai flight FZ1073 after his Omani co-pilot attempted to crash the plane.
- •The flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv plunged 17,400 feet in under two minutes, triggering a hijack alert.
- •Despite being stabbed by the co-pilot, Machchhar fought back, opened the cockpit door, and allowed passengers and crew to overpower the attacker.
- •Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, Indian PM Narendra Modi, and US President Donald Trump praised Machchhar's heroism in saving 180 lives.
- •Machchhar, with 13 years of experience, is now stable in a Saudi hospital; an investigation into the incident is underway.
Key Questions Answered
Flydubai flight FZ1073 experienced a sudden drop of 17,400 feet and triggered a hijack alert after a physical confrontation and stabbing in the cockpit. The Omani co-pilot attacked Indian Captain Smit Machchhar, who managed to fight back and unlock the cockpit door so passengers and crew could neutralize the attacker. The plane eventually made a safe emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, saving the lives of everyone on board.
Despite being brutally stabbed and seriously injured by his co-pilot, Captain Smit Machchhar resisted the attacker, used his remaining energy to unlock the cockpit door, and alerted the crew and passengers. His courageous actions enabled passengers and a crew member to break into the cockpit, overpower the Omani co-pilot, and avert a catastrophic mid-air disaster.
Saudi Arabia’s National Transport Safety Centre has opened an investigation in coordination with relevant authorities, and Israel will also join the probe. Following the incident, flydubai announced a temporary suspension of all flights to and from Israel while the investigation continues.
