Smit Machchhar, an Indian pilot flying for Flydubai, was praised for his actions during a violent cockpit confrontation that forced Flight FZ1073 to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. Machchhar was seriously injured during Wednesday’s incident but reportedly managed to release the cockpit door, allowing passengers and other crew members to reach the flight deck and help bring the situation under control.
Flydubai confirmed that an altercation occurred on the flight deck and that crew members were injured. The airline said other Flydubai personnel traveling aboard the Boeing 737 MAX helped secure the aircraft before it diverted to Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk.
Israeli officials and passengers gave a more detailed account, saying the co-pilot attacked Machchhar as the aircraft entered a sharp series of altitude changes. Flight-tracking data from Flightradar24 showed the plane rapidly losing thousands of feet before climbing again and later stabilizing.
How Flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar became central to the emergency
Passengers said Machchhar, despite suffering serious injuries, was able to operate the cockpit-door release. That allowed people outside the flight deck to enter and confront the other pilot. Several passengers later described helping restrain him, while additional qualified Flydubai pilots traveling on the aircraft took control of the flight.
This man is a hero.
Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian captain of flydubai Flight 1073, fought back after being stabbed in the cockpit.
Despite being severely injured, he managed to unlock the cockpit door – allowing Israeli passengers and the Emirati crew to intervene and save… pic.twitter.com/x4W3mtQkag
— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) September 30, 2026
The plane later transmitted emergency transponder codes, including 7700 for a general emergency and 7500, which is associated with unlawful interference. It eventually landed safely in Tabuk, where the injured pilots received medical treatment. Passengers were later flown onward on a replacement aircraft.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Machchhar for his “immense courage,” while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called him a “true hero.” Machchhar, a veteran Boeing 737 captain who previously worked for SpiceJet, was later reported to be in stable and improving condition.
Investigators have not yet established a motive
Authorities have not reached a final public conclusion about why the confrontation happened. Flydubai has said the reasons and motive remain under investigation, while the UAE Public Prosecution opened a criminal inquiry that includes examining whether there was terrorist intent, prior planning or outside direction.
Netanyahu said preliminary information suggested the co-pilot may have undergone Islamist radicalization and appeared suicidal, but he also said investigators had not reached a final conclusion. UAE and Saudi authorities had not publicly confirmed those claims.
The incident has also raised questions about cockpit security, crew screening and how airlines respond when a threat comes from someone already authorized to be on the flight deck.
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