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Hero Pilot Stable After Mid-Flight Stabbing, Prevents Catastrophe on Flydubai Flight
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News18•01-10-2026, 10:43
Hero Pilot Stable After Mid-Flight Stabbing, Prevents Catastrophe on Flydubai Flight
- •Indian pilot Smit Machchhar is stable after surgery in Saudi Arabia following a mid-flight stabbing by his co-pilot on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
- •The incident occurred after the co-pilot allegedly attacked Machchhar and attempted to crash the aircraft, leading to an emergency landing in Tabuk.
- •Machchhar, with 15 years of experience, fought the co-pilot, and Israeli passengers helped subdue the attacker, preventing a major disaster.
- •The Indian Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah are monitoring Machchhar's condition and providing support to his family and Saudi authorities.
- •Flydubai flight FZ1073, carrying 174 passengers, lost over 17,000 feet in less than two minutes before landing safely; the co-pilot was arrested, and an investigation is underway.
Key Questions Answered
Indian pilot Smit Machchhar is currently in a stable condition after undergoing surgery at a hospital in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, following a cockpit attack.
Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing in Tabuk after the co-pilot allegedly attacked the pilot and attempted to bring the aircraft down.
Captain Smit Machchhar fought off the co-pilot with around 15 years of flying experience, and Israeli passengers subsequently joined the effort to subdue the attacker.
