Brief
FlyDubai captain recounts stabbing, plane lands safely after steep descent
The injured captain told Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi he had to get up to save the 174 people on board after a mid‑flight stabbing.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Captain Smit Machchhar, the pilot of FlyDubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv, said in a video call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he had to rise despite severe wounds to keep the aircraft from crashing after his co‑pilot stabbed him.
What happened
The attack occurred on Wednesday when the Omani co‑pilot thrust a knife into Machchhar’s chest during the flight. Witnesses reported the Boeing 737 dropping sharply from about 33,000 feet to 17,000 feet within a minute. The captain managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to restrain the attacker. The plane, carrying 174 passengers and crew, diverted to Tabuz, north‑western Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely at 9:45 a.m. local time.
What the reports add
The Independent noted that Israeli authorities confirmed the attacker’s arrest in Saudi Arabia but said his motive was unclear. British maritime officials reported a separate incident in the Strait of Hormuz where a tanker was hit by an unknown projectile, causing a small fire but no casualties. Health officials in Gaza said two Israeli strikes killed two people and wounded others, while the Israeli military said it had targeted militants and a Hamas sniper in Khan Younis.
What was said
"I had so many wounds. I had fallen down. I was fighting for my life. At one point I realized that if I didn’t get up … then passengers would lose their lives," Machchhar told Modi, according to the Independent. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attacker, an Omani national, was arrested in Saudi Arabia.
How it came about
Earlier coverage by Felo News detailed the captain’s injuries and his interview with Modi (FlyDubai captain recounts how he survived stabbing and saved 173 passengers). The airline’s emergency response, the swift diversion to Tabuk and the cooperation of Saudi, UAE and Israeli authorities were highlighted in prior reports.
Key facts
- Captain Smit Machchhar was stabbed by his co‑pilot during a FlyDubai flight to Tel Aviv (independent.co.uk)
- The aircraft descended rapidly but landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, with all 174 passengers and crew surviving (independent.co.uk)
- Machchhar spoke to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi from a Saudi hospital, saying he had to get back on his feet to save passengers (independent.co.uk)
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attacker, an Omani citizen, was arrested in Saudi Arabia (independent.co.uk)
- A tanker was struck by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, causing a small fire but no casualties (independent.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “Wounded FlyDubai captain recounts fight to save passengers, and other Mideast developments”
