A routine flight from Dubai, UAE to Tel Aviv, Israel saw the most Bollywood-like drama in the cockpit on September 30, 2026 on a flight of FlyDubai, FZ1073.
Amidst the strict and fascinating rules and regulations for pilots and copilots, it's really hard to digest that a pilot would stab the co-pilot. This gives rise to so many unanswered questions at the moment.
The increase in violence, however, is a significant matter to be discussed. With the ongoing war and daily news of people trying to kill other unknown men/women during commutes, it is disturbing. Kindness and humanity seem a little lost.
What Happened On The Flight?
FlyDubai FZ1073 started off on its routine time after 174 passengers and 6 crew members were on board. The flight took off from Dubai and headed towards Tel Aviv. The aircraft was a Boeing 737 MAX 8.
A 6-year-old girl, Nina Manes, was going to use the washroom accompanied by her mother. They went to the forward one, which is right next to the cockpit. There, they heard commotion, knocking and shouting from inside the cabin. The mother immediately alerted the crew member nearby.
Inside the cockpit, the co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani national, took the crash axe and hit the pilot, Smit Machchhar, multiple times. Hamam later accepted that he was not afraid of death and intended to crash the plane.
He had repeatedly searched for companies flying planes to Tel Aviv. He applied to be a Pilot at FlyDubai with the pre-planned intention of crashing the plane. His plan was put into action on one flight prior to this, but he aborted it as he found someone he knew on that flight.
In his previous job with Oman Air, he was discovered with extremist materials, scrutinized through his online activity. The authorities immediately banned him from flying and put him on a desk job after deradicalisation.
After the 9/11 attacks, pilots needed to lock the cockpits so anyone else couldn’t enter. Only the pilot and co-pilot could lock or unlock the cockpit doors. So Smit could either die bleeding or put his strength into fighting off the accused.
In an extraordinary show of courage, through bloodied hands and head, Smit gathered the strength and opened the cockpit door. Luckily, the crew members and passengers were able to get access to the cockpit in time. He later on admitted that he thought of the passengers on board and recited Hanuman Chalisa, ‘Lord Hanuman’ gave him the strength to push one last time.
Yaniv, a fellow passenger, a plumber by profession, went in first. He saw the accused trying to destroy the plane controls. He grabbed him in a chokehold from behind and pulled him outside so that other members on the plane could also help pin him down. Inspired by the Air Crash Investigation Show, he pulled down the controls to stabilise the plane.
With the help of other passengers and Tzvika Manes, the father of the 6-year-old, who first ensured the safety of his daughter, the accused was overpowered and tied down with cord wires and plastic zip-ties.
‘Deadheading’ pilots, one of South African and one of New Zealand nationality, went on to control the plane after. A dentist, Dr Shota Musaev, went to save Smit. As per him, his head and hands were so severely cut that they were almost divided into two. Smit’s blood pressure was high, blood was everywhere, and he also lost consciousness. Dr Shota successfully stopped the bleeding from the pilot’s head and stabilised his blood pressure, which was crucial for saving his life. The doctors in Saudi Arabia later confirmed that this was the reason he was still alive.
Codes 7700 and 7500 were transmitted, declaring a full-blown emergency at 5:28 AM GMT / 10:58 AM IST. After the successful confrontation, the aircraft safely landed at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia at 6:45 AM GMT / 12:15 PM IST.
After Landing
After the gruesome battle, the plane landed safely. The passengers were evacuated, and an Israeli flight was summoned to get them back safely. However, permission for that was denied. Following this, another FlyDubai aircraft was brought in to continue the flight along the same route, and the passengers were then taken to their destination in Tel Aviv.
As for Smit, he was taken to the best medical facilities, where he continues to receive treatment. The accused was taken for investigation. Smit’s wife and two children were contacted in Dubai and informed of the news.
Investigations are being done through Australia, Dubai, Israel, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the US based on situations.
Who Is Smit Machchhar?
Smit is an Indian national who comes from a family in the textile business in Mumbai. He ventured into becoming a pilot by going to New Zealand for his training, and everyone around him describes him as a happy and jovial man.
He has been flying commercially for 15 years, serving at SpiceJet for 11 years as a Senior Commander and Line Training Captain. He also has over 9,000 to 9,750+ hours specifically logged on the Boeing 737 aircraft family. He joined FlyDubai in 2022 as a Direct Entry Captain.
Before this incident, he was also recognised when a baby was delivered in a plane he was flying, mid-air. The mother and the baby were safe, and the plane landed without any problems.
American President Trump, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu were amongst the many who saluted his courage and applauded him, calling him a true ‘HERO’. This incident surely brought back memories of Neerja.
Indian nationals have time and again proved that their courage is undisputed, and at the time of service, they do not step back from sacrificing their lives.
While several details of the incident remain under investigation, the safe diversion and landing brought the tense episode to an end—and placed Indian pilot Smit Machchhar at the centre of a heroic story that will continue to serve as an example for the upcoming pilots.
