Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian national and flydubai pilot, was reportedly stabbed during Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30. The Boeing 737 MAX 8 was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where Machchhar and the co-pilot were taken to hospital.
Machchhar has been a flydubai Boeing 737 captain since 2022 and previously spent around 11 years with SpiceJet, where he served as a senior commander and line training captain. His profile lists approximately 9,750 hours on Boeing 737 aircraft.
During the incident, the aircraft reportedly experienced a sharp descent of around 14,000 feet before passengers and crew intervened. Reports say Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door despite his injuries, allowing others to enter and help subdue the attacker. The aircraft was subsequently landed safely at Tabuk.
Flydubai said all passengers and crew were safe and accounted for and that the reasons and motives behind the incident remain subject to a formal investigation. Machchhar is receiving treatment in Saudi Arabia.
