Flydubai flight

October 19, 2026 8:36 AM

Captain Smit Machchhar reveals more details of the flydubai incident; says he hopes to return to action soon

Recovering well at Zayed Military Hospital in Abu Dhabi, Captain Smit Machchhar has given a detailed account of what he recalls from the day of the incident aboard flydubai flight FZ1073. In interviews with The National and Sky News Arabia, published on 17th October evening, Captain Smit recounted how he was attacked by his co-pilot on the Dubai to Tel Aviv flight on 30th September. He has described the repeated blows, his attempts to get help, the cockpit door opening and shutting, and how he r...

October 18, 2026 11:51 AM

‘You can’t die like this’: Indian pilot Smit Machchhar recounts cockpit attack, fight to survive in flydubai flight

Indian pilot Smit Machchhar initially thought something had broken off the roof of his aircraft and struck him on the back of his head before realising he was being attacked by his co-pilot aboard a flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv last month. "I didn't know at that point what had hit me," Machchhar said in an interview with Sky News Arabia on Saturday, recounting how a routine flight turned into a struggle for survival. He said the flight had proceeded normally, with all form...

October 15, 2026 3:28 PM

Pakistani pilots, crew barred under new Israeli aviation rules

Pakistani pilots and cabin crew are barred from serving on flights entering Israeli airspace under new restrictions, according to media reports, after a hijacking attempt last month on a flight travelling from the UAE to Israel, in which Indian Captain Smit Machchhar was injured while foiling the suspected plot. Israel's public broadcaster Kan reported that the Transportation Ministry's Aviation Security Operations Centre has issued the new and updated directives following the hijacking attempt...

October 2, 2026 2:15 PM

‘Whole Country Is Praying for You’: PM Modi Speaks to Captain Smit Machchhar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday spoke to Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot who helped avert a major tragedy after being attacked by his co-pilot aboard a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. During a video call, PM Modi praised Captain Machchhar’s courage, presence of mind and composure and said the entire country was praying for his recovery. The Prime Minister began the interaction by asking the pilot about his health. “How are you? How's your health now?”...

October 2, 2026 10:17 AM

Flydubai incident: Co-pilot accused of assaulting Captain Smit transferred to UAE, says Saudi Arabia

The co-pilot accused of assaulting Captain Smit Machchhar has been transferred to Abu Dhabi. The Saudi Press Agency (SPA), quoting an official source at the Saudi Ministry of Interior, reported that both pilots left the country for Abu Dhabi after receiving medical clearance. The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi had yesterday informed that Captain Machchhar had been brought to the UAE and was recovering well. As reported by SPA, the aircraft landed safely at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Inte...

October 1, 2026 1:12 PM

‘An Indian prevented 9/11 like tragedy’: PM Modi lauds Captain Smit Machchhar who saved lives on flydubai flight

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday praised Indian Captain Smit Machchhar's bravery for foiling his co-pilot's alleged attempt to crash a flydubai flight to Israel and said that his courageous act fills every Indian's heart with pride. Addressing an event in New Delhi, he said Captain Machchhar has showed great patience, acumen and bravery. "And like Israeli PM (Benjamin Netanyahu) today said that this Indian thwarted 9/11 (like attack). For every Indian, Smit's bravery fills our heart wi...

October 1, 2026 10:43 AM

PM Modi hails Captain Smit Machchhar as hero after Flydubai flight crisis

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday hailed Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot of Flydubai flight FZ1073, for his courage in helping avert a major in-flight crisis after he was seriously injured during an alleged cockpit attack. Calling Machchhar a “HERO”, PM Modi said the pilot displayed immense courage and an unwavering resolve to protect the lives of others despite being seriously injured. “Captain Smit Machchhar is a HERO. In the face of the gravest danger and despite being...