Indian Pilot Thwarts Mid-Air Hijack on flydubai Flight
Captain Smit Machchhar, a Mumbai-born pilot, has been hailed as a hero after successfully defending his flydubai aircraft from a violent mid-air attack by his co-pilot. The harrowing incident occurred on September 30, 2026, during a flight bound for Tel Aviv, turning a routine journey into a desperate struggle for survival.
A Terrifying Descent Over Saudi Arabia
The aircraft, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, departed Dubai International at 3:05 am UTC carrying 174 passengers and six crew members. While flying over northwest Saudi Arabia, the flight experienced a sudden and violent loss of altitude. Tracking data revealed a rapid descent of approximately 14,000 feet in under 30 seconds, with some reports suggesting a plunge of up to 17,400 feet within two minutes.
In the midst of the chaos, the aircraft transmitted a 7500 hijack squawk, alerting air traffic control to the emergency before the plane was forced to make an emergency landing at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk.
Brutal Cockpit Attack
According to investigations by Saudi authorities and Israeli officials, the crisis began inside the cockpit. The co-pilot, identified as an Omani national, allegedly launched a brutal assault on Captain Machchhar. The attacker reportedly used the cockpit’s emergency crash axe to strike the captain, inflicting serious wounds to his head and fingers.
Despite the physical trauma and the immediate threat to his life, Captain Machchhar fought to maintain control. He managed to open the cockpit door, a critical move that allowed passengers to intervene and prevent a full-scale hijacking.
Passenger Heroism and Crew Intervention
The situation inside the cabin turned into a scene of intense bravery as passengers rushed to assist. Yaniv Hayoun, one of the passengers on board, reported that he managed to place the attacker in a chokehold. The assailant was eventually restrained using a combination of headphone wires and zip ties.
Other passengers also played vital roles in the survival of those on board:
- Shota Musayev, a dentist, provided immediate medical assistance to the injured captain.
- A second crew team from flydubai took over flight controls to stabilize the aircraft and ensure a safe landing in Tabuk.
Aftermath and International Reaction
Following the landing, both pilots were hospitalised in Tabuk. Between October 1 and 2, 2026, they were transferred to the UAE under the supervision of an Emirati security team. Captain Machchhar is currently recovering in an Abu Dhabi hospital. Indian Ambassador to the UAE, Deepak Mittal, has confirmed that the captain is in stable condition.
The incident has drawn significant political attention. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally spoke with Machchhar via video call on October 2 to praise his extraordinary courage. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu alleged the incident was a radicalised attack, though Israeli security officials noted that preliminary assessments suggest the co-pilot acted alone.
The UAE has launched a comprehensive investigation into the motives and any potential planning behind the assault. In the wake of the event, flydubai has suspended all services to and from Israel.