Stories
Hero Pilot Saves Flydubai Flight After Co-Pilot Attack, Passenger Praises Calm Leadership
- •Captain Smit Machchhar was praised as a "truly brave man" after a mid-air crisis on a Flydubai Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
- •A co-pilot allegedly stabbed Captain Smit, causing the aircraft to plummet 17,400 feet before passengers and crew subdued the attacker.
- •Despite serious injuries, Captain Smit defused passenger retaliation, urging them to "Leave him. If anyone can control the plane, have a look" and focus on aircraft control.
- •His sole priority remained the safety of the 174 passengers onboard, leading to the flight's safe diversion to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
- •Dr. Maya Peretz, a passenger, expressed her admiration for Captain Smit's calm leadership and hopes her daughter inherits similar values; he is now recovering well.
Key Questions Answered
A co-pilot allegedly stabbed Captain Smit Machchhar inside the cockpit on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, causing the aircraft to drop 17,400 feet before passengers and crew subdued the attacker and safely diverted the flight to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Despite suffering serious injuries, Captain Smit defused the retaliation by telling passengers to leave the attacker alone and focus entirely on getting the aircraft back under control, urging them to let official authorities handle the situation after landing.
After undergoing emergency surgery in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, Captain Machchhar was airlifted to Abu Dhabi for continued medical recovery and family reunification. India's Ambassador to the UAE Deepak Mittal visited him in the hospital, reporting that he is stable and doing well.
