A flydubai flight operating from Dubai to Tel Aviv was forced to divert to Saudi Arabia on September 30 following a serious incident on board, with Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar reportedly injured during a violent confrontation inside the cockpit.

Flight FZ1073, operating from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion International Airport, landed safely at Tabuk Airport in north-western Saudi Arabia. Flydubai confirmed that the aircraft experienced an incident while en route and said all passengers were safe and accounted for. The airline also stated that it was working with the relevant authorities on the matter.

According to reports from Israeli officials and international media, the incident involved an alleged attack on Captain Smit Machchhar by the co-pilot. The aircraft reportedly transmitted emergency signals, including the 7500 transponder code associated with unlawful interference. Flight-tracking data showed the aircraft making a sharp descent of around 14,000 feet in less than a minute before its flight path changed towards Saudi Arabia. Reuters reported that the aircraft plunged nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds during the incident. 

Reports said Captain Machchhar was stabbed during the confrontation. Despite being injured, he reportedly opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to enter and restrain the attacker. Israeli officials said passengers and crew members helped bring the situation under control, after which the aircraft was safely landed in Tabuk. The exact sequence of events and motive remain under investigation. 

Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian national, has been identified as the pilot in command of the flight. He has served as a flydubai captain since June 2022, having joined the airline as a Direct Entry Captain after more than a decade with SpiceJet in India.

According to reports citing his professional profile, Machchhar has more than 13 years of commercial flying experience on the Boeing 737 fleet and approximately 9,750 flying hours. His earlier career at SpiceJet included serving as a senior commander and line training captain. 

The Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General of India in Jeddah were reported to be following his condition after he was taken to a hospital in Tabuk. The Indian Embassy said Machchhar was receiving medical attention and that the missions were in contact with his family while coordinating assistance with Saudi authorities. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later said that the co-pilot had allegedly stabbed Machchhar and attempted to take control of the aircraft. He credited Machchhar and the passengers who intervened during the emergency. Reuters also reported that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Machchhar following the incident. 

Among those reported to have entered the cockpit were passengers Yaniv Hayoun, Shota Musayev, Zvika Manes and Asaf Rajuan. According to the Israeli president’s office, Hayoun took control of the aircraft while Musayev, a dentist, provided medical assistance to the injured captain.

The incident resulted in the aircraft being diverted to Tabuk instead of continuing to Tel Aviv. All passengers were ultimately reported safe, while authorities continued to investigate the circumstances surrounding the cockpit confrontation and the actions of the co-pilot.