Indian pilot Capt Smit Machchhar forced open the cockpit door of a Flydubai aircraft while injured to allow passengers to intervene and prevent the plane's uncontrolled descent after being attacked by his co-pilot with a crash axe on 30 September 2026. The aircraft, carrying 174 people from Dubai to Tel Aviv, was forced to divert to Tabuk in north-western Saudi Arabia after the violent assault. According to Reuters, the UAE prosecutor general described the incident as an attempted terrorist attack, with the investigation examining physical and digital evidence, the suspect's motives and possible connections.
During a video conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Capt Machchhar recounted the moment he realised the aircraft was losing altitude rapidly. Despite suffering injuries from the assault, he made the decision to push through the pain and force open the cockpit door from the inside.
I was lying on the floor injured but I told myself to go for one last push to open the door from inside. Others came in and also played a role [in controlling the situation]. I was of course fighting for my own life but at the same time I knew I was not going to let others die.
According to flight tracking data, the aircraft dropped more than 17,000 feet in less than two minutes around two and a half hours after take-off, before passengers and crew subdued the attacker. Two people on board with flying experience then assisted in landing the aircraft safely in Saudi Arabia.
How did passengers break into the cockpit?
Israeli President Isaac Herzog identified the passenger who first raised the alarm as Tali Manes, an Israeli woman who heard a commotion coming from the cockpit. Her husband, Zvika, along with three other men—Yaniv Hayun, Dr Shota Musayev and Asaf Rajuan—entered the cockpit after Capt Machchhar managed to open the door despite his injuries. Hayun said the attacker was attempting to destroy the instruments in order to disable the plane. He described putting the attacker in a chokehold and pulling him outside the cockpit before other passengers helped to pin him down. Zvika Manes told Israeli public broadcaster Kan that he and other passengers tied the attacker up using his own zip ties and multimedia headphones. Hayun added that he pulled the controls of the plane, which started to level out before another pilot took control.
What weapon was used in the attack?
The co-pilot attacked Capt Machchhar with a crash axe, a tool typically kept in the cockpit for emergency use. According to Reuters, the co-pilot was identified as Hammam al-Hammami, an Omani national. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Fox News that after being subdued, the attacker called out to the crew, "Kill me, kill me!" Netanyahu added: "So, it's clear that he was suicidal… It looks very likely that he was going to down the plane." He also said the attacker "underwent Islamist radical indoctrination".
Who is Capt Machchhar?
Capt Machchhar grew up in Mumbai, where his parents still live. In 2008, he joined Mainland Air, an aviation college in New Zealand's Dunedin, before joining Indian airline SpiceJet as a commercial pilot three years later. He moved to Dubai and joined Flydubai in 2022, bringing extensive aviation experience to the role.
According to his professional profile, Capt Machchhar has more than 9,750 hours of flying experience, including more than 6,400 hours as pilot-in-command. Philip Kean, the CEO of Mainland Air, described him as a man who would remain calm in a crisis.
We trained him for forced landing - not this kind of situation, which is very, very rare. It was a long time back but he came across as a good and honest worker.
His former employer SpiceJet issued a statement calling Machchhar a hero who had saved countless lives. Last year, Capt Machchhar spoke about his aviation career on a podcast, explaining that aviation was not a childhood dream but something he discovered at age 19 after attending an aviation seminar. He credited senior pilots with teaching him how to face stressful situations and advised others to
give personal life equal importance - it will help you fly longer.At that time, he noted he had never experienced an emergency landing, though he had managed medical emergencies and minor aircraft issues.
International recognition and praise
Modi praised the captain's actions, saying
his courage, patience and quick decision-making saved the lives of so many peopleand noting that the entire country was proud of his heroism. The Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar praised the pilot's extraordinary courage and remarkable presence of mind in the face of grave danger. The Indian government also praised captain Machchhar for his "immense courage" during the attack.
Capt Machchhar has also received recognition from Israeli leadership. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described him as a
true herofor his actions during the crisis, stating that he
saved the lives of 174 peopleand prevented a catastrophic mid-air disaster. Netanyahu told CNN that the stabbed pilot, passengers and second crew had "managed to prevent a 9/11 disaster". US President Donald Trump also praised the pilot's actions, saying
the pilot was in very bad shape but had the sense to open the cockpit door during the attack. Amazing, in a way he was a hero, to open the door. He was able to fall back and get the door open.
Medical condition and recovery
Following the emergency landing at 06:58 on 30 September, both the captain and co-pilot were injured and hospitalised in Tabuk. Machchhar was subsequently airlifted to Abu Dhabi, where he is reported to be in stable condition. The Indian embassy in the United Arab Emirates confirmed that Machchhar was
in good health and recovering well.Ambassador Deepak Mittal expressed his pride in the captain's bravery and said he was reassured after meeting with him. Machchhar said: "I am confident that the recovery will be there and I will become fit and healthy again."
The incident and investigation
Flydubai flight FZ1073 took off from Dubai International Airport at 03:05 GMT on 30 September, bound for Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. The flight was carrying at least 150 people, with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu stating that almost all passengers were Israeli nationals. According to media reports, 166 of those aboard were Israeli nationals.
Around two and a half hours after take-off, the aircraft made a rapid descent over Saudi Arabia. One passenger, Almog Itali, described the moment he realised something was wrong: "Suddenly the aeroplane started to, like a rollercoaster, to drop down [with] a massive G-force. It was falling down for 20 or 30 seconds, rapidly, and then balanced, and then started once again to fall down." The plane signalled an emergency code before switching to a hijacking code. Netanyahu confirmed that one pilot had stabbed the other before apparently trying to crash the plane. An Israeli passenger told Netanyahu that the plane went into a spin and began to descend before the passenger and a crew member broke into the cockpit and overpowered the pilot who had carried out the stabbing.
According to Reuters, the alleged attacker was an Omani national. The UAE Attorney General ordered an investigation into the incident, including whether it involved terrorist activity, prior planning or direction. Israeli investigators were examining several possible explanations, including whether the incident was an attempted attack on Israelis or a suicide attempt, though the motive had not been established.
Operational and security responses
Flydubai has suspended all flights to and from Israel while authorities investigate the incident, with the airline stating it would review the suspension as additional information becomes available. No timeline for resuming service to Israeli destinations has been announced.
In response to the attack, Israel announced it would implement increased security checks on pilots flying into the country.
What happens next
The UAE-led investigation is ongoing into the circumstances and motives surrounding the incident, including any possible terrorist connection or prior planning. According to Reuters, Israeli investigators are expected to participate alongside Emirati authorities in the investigation. No hearing date or public timetable has been reported.
Key facts
- Capt Smit Machchhar forced open the cockpit door while injured to allow passengers to intervene during the co-pilot's attack with a crash axe on 30 September 2026
- The Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv carried 174 passengers, 166 of whom were Israeli nationals
- The aircraft diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where both pilots received medical treatment; Machchhar was later transferred to Abu Dhabi
- Capt Machchhar has more than 9,750 hours of flying experience, including over 6,400 hours as pilot-in-command
- The UAE prosecutor general described the incident as an attempted terrorist attack; Flydubai has suspended Israel operations pending investigation completion
