From The Hindu · The Hindu Bureau · · 1m 40s
Flydubai pilot stabbed mid-air, moved to Abu Dhabi care
Captain Smit Machchhar, stabbed by his co-pilot over the Red Sea, has been shifted to Abu Dhabi for continued medical treatment after saving 174 lives.
In brief
Captain Smit Machchhar, stabbed by his co-pilot over the Red Sea, has been shifted to Abu Dhabi for continued medical treatment after saving 174 lives. Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, stabbed by his co-pilot during a Dubai to Tel Aviv flight on September thirty, twenty twenty-six, has been moved to Abu Dhabi for…
Pilot stabbed mid-flight over Red Sea
On September 30, 2026, Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar was stabbed by his co-pilot mid-air aboard Flydubai flight FZ 1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The aircraft was diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia for emergency landing.
Passengers and crew prevented disaster
Passengers and crew helped Captain Machchhar prevent what could have been a major air disaster. The co-pilot's motive for stabbing the pilot and attempting to crash the plane is being ascertained by authorities.
One hundred seventy four lives saved
The flight carried one hundred seventy four passengers, including twenty seven children. Captain Machchhar's actions prevented a catastrophe that could have killed everyone aboard the aircraft.
Global leaders hail pilot as hero
President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, and U.S. President Donald Trump have all hailed Captain Smit Machchhar as a hero for his bravery aboard the Dubai-Tel Aviv flight.
Pilot moved to Abu Dhabi for recovery
The Ministry of External Affairs announced on October 1, 2026 that Captain Machchhar had been shifted to Abu Dhabi for continued medical attention and recovery. India's Ambassador in UAE met him in hospital and assured support.
“Our Ambassador in UAE met Captain Machchhar in hospital and enquired about his well being.”
The short version
Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, stabbed by his co-pilot during a Dubai to Tel Aviv flight on September thirty, twenty twenty-six, has been moved to Abu Dhabi for ongoing medical care after preventing a crash that could have killed one hundred seventy four passengers.
