During a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv on 28 October 2026, the co‑pilot stabbed Captain Smit Machchhar, causing a 14,000‑foot descent before the cockpit crew overpowered the assailant.
Machchhar, a 32‑year‑old former SpiceJet captain with 9,750 flight hours, opened the cockpit door and guided the crew to regain control, allowing the Boeing 737 to land safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
The attacker was injured and taken to a Saudi hospital; Machchhar suffered serious wounds but survived; 170 passengers and crew escaped unhurt.
SpiceJet CEO Ajay Singh called Machchhar an "incredible hero" in a statement to NDTV, praising his composure and noting the airline's 11‑year association with the captain.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi echoed the sentiment in Delhi, labeling the incident a "9/11‑style tragedy prevented," while Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu lauded the pilot's bravery on X.
Both flydubai and Indian aviation authorities announced a joint review of cockpit security, including stricter psychometric testing for pilots, with a comprehensive audit set for December 2026.