Flydubai captain Smit Machchhar recounts cockpit struggle that averted disaster

The injured pilot told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he had to get back up to save the 174 passengers on the Dubai‑Tel Aviv flight.

By Felo News Desk · Published Fri, 02 Oct 2026 10:22:37 GMT

Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot injured during a cockpit altercation on Flydubai flight FZ1073, told Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a video call that he fought for his life and worked to keep the aircraft under control after being stabbed by his co‑pilot.

What happened

On 30 September 2026, Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after a violent clash between the two pilots. The co‑pilot stabbed Machchhar, causing him to fall to the cockpit floor and sustain multiple wounds. While lying on the floor, Machchhar said he could still sense the aircraft descending and realized that he had to rise to prevent a crash. He managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to enter and restrain the attacker. The aircraft landed safely in Tabuk, and all 174 passengers and crew were accounted for.

What the reports add

Gulf News reported that Machchhar, with 17 years of aviation experience, “could intuitively understand the aircraft’s condition even without seeing it” and described a moment he called “one last push, Smit”. The outlet quoted him saying, “And I knew in that moment – one last push, Smit! Just do it. The door is right there.”
The Associated Press article published by the Winnipeg Free Press added that Machchhar was recovering in an Abu Dhabi hospital when he spoke to Modi, noting his head was bandaged and tubes were in his nose. It also emphasized that the attack caused the plane to begin a steep descent before the pilot’s intervention.

What was said

Machchhar told Modi, “I had so many wounds. I had fallen down… I was fighting for my life,” as reported by the Winnipeg Free Press.
He also said to Gulf News, “In that moment, I was fighting for my life… I could sense the aircraft was descending.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Machchhar as a hero on X, according to Felo’s earlier coverage (see Modi hails flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar as hero).

How it came about

Felo News first reported the incident on 30 September, noting the flight was diverted after a cockpit clash and that both pilots were taken to hospital (see Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv diverted to Saudi Arabia after pilots clash). The following day, the Gujarat government announced it would honour Machchhar with the Vishisht Gujarat Garima Award (Gujarat to honour flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar with state award). On 1 October, Indian ambassador Deepak Mittal met the pilot’s family in Dubai, confirming ongoing support from the Indian government (Indian ambassador meets family of injured flydubai pilot). The new interviews provide Machchhar’s personal account of the moments after the stabbing and his effort to regain control.

Key facts

Flydubai flight FZ1073 was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia after a cockpit altercation on 30 September 2026. (gulfnews.com)
Captain Smit Machchhar was stabbed by his co‑pilot, fell to the cockpit floor, and sustained multiple wounds. (winnipegfreepress.com)
Machchhar opened the cockpit door and helped restrain the attacker, preventing a crash. (gulfnews.com)
All 174 passengers and crew survived the incident. (gulfnews.com)
Machchhar told Prime Minister Narendra Modi he was “fighting for my life” while recovering in hospital. (winnipegfreepress.com)

Timeline

2026-09-30 — Flydubai flight FZ1073 diverted to Tabuk after cockpit clash; pilots injured.
2026-10-01 — Gujarat announces Vishisht Gujarat Garima Award for Machchhar.
2026-10-01 — Indian ambassador meets Machchhar’s family in Dubai.
2026-10-02 — Machchhar gives detailed interview to Gulf News and AP.