Indian pilot wounded in mid-air attack by co-pilot, fights to regain access to cockpit as passengers and crew intervene
By Shah J. Choudhury
A mid-air attack. A critically wounded captain. A passenger aircraft suddenly losing altitude. In the midst of the chaos, Flydubai Indian Captain Smit Machchhar displayed remarkable courage and presence of mind, helping avert what could have become a catastrophic disaster.
Despite being seriously injured and bleeding, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to enter and restrain the co-pilot who had allegedly attacked him. Two off-duty Flydubai pilots aboard the aircraft then assisted with the flight, enabling the plane to make an emergency landing safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. All 174 people aboard survived the incident.
The dramatic episode unfolded on September 30 aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073, traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. According to reports, the co-pilot attacked Captain Machchhar approximately two and a half hours after takeoff. During the assault, the aircraft rapidly lost altitude, heightening fears that control of the aircraft could be lost.
Despite his injuries, Machchhar succeeded in opening the cockpit door. Passengers and crew members rushed in and helped restrain the attacker. The two off-duty pilots then assisted in operating the aircraft as it was diverted to Tabuk, where it landed safely.
While receiving treatment in a Saudi hospital, Machchhar spoke by video call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and described the terrifying ordeal. He reportedly said that, beyond saving his own life, he realized he had to help save everyone else on board. That determination, he said, gave him the strength to get back up despite his injuries.
Machchhar, who has approximately 17 years of flying experience, has since drawn widespread attention for his actions during the crisis. Indian pilots’ organizations have also called for national recognition of his bravery.
The motive behind the co-pilot’s alleged attack remains under investigation. Authorities are examining the circumstances surrounding the assault, the co-pilot’s intentions and whether anyone else may have been involved. No final conclusion about the motive has been established.
The incident has become more than a story of an aviation emergency. It is a dramatic account of split-second decision-making, passenger and crew intervention, and the professionalism of pilots who worked together under extraordinary circumstances to bring a stricken aircraft safely to the ground.
For the 174 people aboard Flight FZ1073, Captain Smit Machchhar’s decision to fight through his injuries and open the cockpit door became a crucial turning point—one that helped turn a terrifying mid-air crisis into a safe landing.
