Flydubai Captain Injured in Attack, Flight Lands Safely

Flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar was injured in a cockpit attack aboard Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30, and the aircraft landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after passengers and crew intervened. Machchhar was transferred to Abu Dhabi for further medical treatment. The copilot’s motive and any possible outside involvement remain under investigation. Reports say the copilot stabbed Machchhar during the flight. Despite his injuries, the captain opened the cockpit door, allowing people on board to reach the flight deck and confront the attacker. The aircraft was diverted to Tabuk, where Machchhar received initial treatment. The accounts describe the plane as landing safely, and all passengers survived. Several reports gave a total of 174 people aboard, while another said more than 180; the available accounts do not explain the difference. A passenger recounted rushing forward after hearing his daughters scream and credited two pilots with entering the cockpit area first. The precise sequence of events has not been independently established in the supplied accounts. Machchhar was later moved from Saudi Arabia to Abu Dhabi for continued care.