Prime Minister Narendra Modi has praised Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his courage after he was stabbed by his co-pilot during a mid-air cockpit altercation that sent a flydubai aircraft into a dramatic plunge over Saudi Arabia.
Flight FZ1073, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, was diverted to Tabuk in north-western Saudi Arabia after the confrontation. Flight-tracking data showed the aircraft lost about 14,300 feet in 37 seconds during the incident. The aircraft also transmitted a code indicating unlawful interference.
The flight was carrying 174 passengers, including 27 children. Passengers and crew intervened after the cockpit door was opened, helping to overpower the co-pilot. Two off-duty flydubai pilots who were travelling as passengers subsequently helped bring the aircraft under control before it made a safe emergency landing at Tabuk.
Machchhar opened cockpit door while injured
According to an account relayed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's spokesperson, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door despite being seriously wounded. This allowed passengers to enter the cockpit and confront the attacking co-pilot.
Passenger Yaniv Hayoun later told Netanyahu that the cockpit door had been unlocked and that Machchhar appeared to have used the last of his strength to open it before collapsing. The passengers then found the injured captain on the floor and the other pilot at the controls.
Netanyahu also credited Machchhar with fighting back against the co-pilot and helping create the opportunity for passengers and crew to overpower the attacker.
Saudi authorities arrested the co-pilot, while the circumstances and motive behind the attack remained under investigation. Reports identified him as an Omani national, although authorities had not immediately released his name.
PM Modi praises pilot's courage
Reacting to the incident, Modi described Machchhar as a hero and praised his actions despite his injuries.
"Captain Smit Machchhar is a HERO. In the face of the gravest danger and despite being seriously injured, he showed immense courage and an unwavering resolve to protect the lives of others. His valour helped save hundreds of lives and avert a great tragedy," the prime minister wrote on X.
Modi also wished the Indian pilot a speedy recovery.
Machchhar underwent surgery after being taken to hospital in Tabuk and was reported to be in a stable condition. The other pilot was also hospitalised following the cockpit fight. Tabuk Airport authorities confirmed that the aircraft had issued a distress call before landing safely.
Pilot from Mumbai, former SpiceJet captain
Machchhar is from Ghatkopar East in Mumbai and is based in Dubai for work. He has been a flydubai captain since June 2022, when he joined the airline as a direct-entry captain.
Before moving to flydubai, he spent around 11 years with SpiceJet in Mumbai, where he served as a senior commander. He also worked as a line training captain, training and assessing other pilots. His professional profile lists nearly 9,750 hours of flying experience on the Boeing 737-800 and Boeing 737 MAX 8 and more than 13 years of commercial aviation experience.
The incident has drawn international attention after the aircraft's sudden loss of altitude and the intervention of the injured captain, passengers and off-duty pilots prevented the confrontation in the cockpit from turning into a major aviation disaster.