Indian national Smit Machchhar has been identified as the Flydubai pilot who reportedly fought off the first officer during an alleged cockpit attack on flight FZ1073 from Dubai, according to Indian and Israeli media.
Mr Machchhar, who has accumulated nearly 10,000 flying hours, was reportedly knifed by his first officer as he allegedly tried to seize control of the aircraft travelling from the UAE. The plane then nosedived 18,000 feet.
Incident details
The experienced aviator has been hailed for reportedly preventing what could have been a terror attack. Mr Machchhar reportedly warned the Boeing 737 Max 8's crew and passengers, who managed to step in. He sustained multiple stab wounds during the assault, officials confirmed, and was rushed to hospital after the aircraft was diverted to Saudi Arabia.
Several passengers aboard also captured shocking footage of one of the pilots drenched in blood. The Dubai departure, carrying over 150 people, broadcast an emergency signal suggesting a potential unlawful interference, sparking hijacking concerns. Military jets were reportedly deployed.
Official statements
"One pilot stabbed the other and tried to do 9/11," an official told Channel 12.
The carrier confirmed "the aircraft was successfully secured by on-duty Flydubai crew travelling on the flight, who diverted and landed the aircraft safely". A spokesperson stated: "An altercation occurred in the flight deck of flight FZ 1073, operating from Dubai International (DXB) to Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV), on 30 September."
"The aircraft was successfully secured by on-duty flydubai crew travelling on the flight, who diverted and landed the aircraft safely at Tabuk Airport (TUU). All passengers and crew are safe and accounted for."
"We have deployed two replacement aircraft to Tabuk to relieve the passengers and crew. This incident has no impact on other scheduled operations across the flydubai network," the spokesperson added.
"At this early stage, the underlying reasons and motives behind this event are unknown and remain subject to a formal investigation. We urge all parties to refrain from premature speculation while authorities gather the facts."
Background
Flydubai is a low-cost sister carrier of Emirates airline. The UAE has become a popular holiday destination for Israeli tourists since the countries normalised ties in 2020, Al Jazeera reported.
Flydubai operates an all-Boeing 737 fleet, using different versions of the twin-engine, single-aisle jet flown by airlines worldwide. The carrier has close to 100 aircraft in total, including 69 737 Max 8s.
