A dramatic incident aboard a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv has drawn international attention after an Indian pilot was seriously injured during an apparent cockpit attack. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attacker may have stabbed the Indian captain or struck him with an axe.
The incident happened aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073, which was carrying 174 people. The aircraft was diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia after a violent confrontation between the pilots.
Was Indian Pilot Smit Machchhar Hit With an Axe?
According to Netanyahu, Indian Captain Smit Machchhar was attacked by the co-pilot as the aircraft approached Israel. Speaking in interviews, Netanyahu said the captain was either stabbed or hit with an axe and was bleeding heavily.
However, the exact weapon used has not been independently established. Reuters reported that passengers described seeing a man holding a knife, while a regional pilot said cockpit crash axes are commonly available and that metal knives used for meal service could also be accessible.
Therefore, reports describing an axe attack should currently be treated as an allegation based on Netanyahu’s account rather than a confirmed finding.
How Did the Flydubai Incident Unfold?
The confrontation reportedly caused the aircraft to enter a rapid descent. Flight-tracking data showed the plane dropping nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds, creating a serious emergency.
Despite being badly injured, Machchhar reportedly managed to unlock the cockpit door. Passengers and crew members then entered the cockpit and helped overpower the attacker.
Additional Flydubai pilots who were travelling aboard the aircraft subsequently helped regain control and safely land the plane at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia.
What Did Netanyahu Say?
Netanyahu praised Machchhar’s actions, describing them as a major act of courage. He said the Indian captain’s efforts, together with the intervention of passengers and crew, prevented what he described as a potentially catastrophic crash.
Netanyahu also said Saudi authorities had arrested the suspected attacker and that investigators would work to establish the circumstances and possible motive.
The motive remains unclear. Reuters reported that Flydubai has urged people to avoid premature speculation while investigations continue.
Investigation Underway
Authorities in Saudi Arabia and the UAE are investigating the incident. Israel has also announced tighter security checks for pilots flying into the country following the episode.
For now, the central facts are that Captain Smit Machchhar was seriously injured, the aircraft experienced a dangerous descent, passengers and crew intervened, and the flight ultimately landed safely in Saudi Arabia. The exact weapon used and the attacker’s motive remain subjects of investigation.
