On September 30, 2026, a co‑pilot on flydubai Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv tried to sabotage the aircraft by attacking the cockpit. Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian national, was stabbed and severely wounded yet he forced the cockpit door open, allowing passengers and crew to subdue the attacker. The swift action prevented a catastrophic mid‑air event that could have endangered the 180 passengers on board.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted on X that he salutes the pilot’s extraordinary bravery. He noted that the attack could have turned into a major aviation disaster and extended wishes for Machchhar’s speedy recovery. Netanyahu called the pilot a true hero.
Reuven Azar, Israel’s ambassador to Cyprus, also praised the Indian pilot and the crew’s courage. He wrote that the bravery of the Israeli and Emirati passengers, alongside Machchhar, saved 180 souls. Azar used the post to call for unity against terrorism.
Machchhar, a 13‑year veteran of the Boeing 737 fleet, has 9,750 flying hours to his credit. He spent a decade with SpiceJet before joining flydubai in 2022. His brother recently joined the same airline, underscoring a family legacy in aviation.
The incident has sparked an inquiry by flydubai and the UAE Civil Aviation Authority into cockpit security protocols. Airline officials say a review will assess vulnerabilities that allowed a co‑pilot to attempt sabotage. The investigation will inform future safety measures.
While Machchhar receives medical care in Israel, diplomatic exchanges are expected between India, the UAE, and Israel to discuss joint security measures. The incident also underscores the need for tighter cross‑border aviation cooperation.