# Captain of flydubai flight to Tel Aviv recalls blocking axe blows from co-pilot

> Captain Smit Machchhar blocked axe blows from co-pilot during Dubai-Tel Aviv flight, avoiding crash.
- Title: Captain of flydubai flight to Tel Aviv recalls blocking axe…
- Summary: Captain Smit Machchhar blocked axe blows from co-pilot during Dubai-Tel Aviv flight, avoiding crash. Flydubai captain Smit Machchhar defended himself against…
- Keywords: flydubai, captain smit machchhar, co-pilot, axe attack, flight fz1073, tel aviv, ben gurion airport, uae, omani national, sept 11 attacks, news, politics
- Source: Dawn — https://dawn.com/news/2038055/was-not-sure-ill-make-it-out-alive-captain-of-flydubai-flight-to-tel-aviv-recalls-blocking-axe-blows-from-co-pilot
- Author: Reuters
- Published: 2026-10-18T18:27:47+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: flydubai, captain smit machchhar, co-pilot, axe attack, flight fz1073, tel aviv, ben gurion airport, uae, omani national, sept 11 attacks, news, politics
## Captain Smit Machchhar
Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian national and flydubai pilot, was attacked by a co-pilot aboard flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv.

> Was not sure I'll make it out alive
## Attack on flight FZ1073
Co-pilot attacked captain with a crash axe during flight FZ1073 in Saudi airspace, intending to crash plane into Ben Gurion Airport.
## Captain's defense
Captain blocked axe blows to head, bandaged head and left arm, and screamed for help while reaching for cockpit door knob.
## Aircraft plunge
Aircraft plunged 16,000 feet (4,900 metres) in 30 seconds before co-pilot was overwhelmed and plane landed safely in Saudi Arabia.
## Co-pilot's identity
Co-pilot was an Omani national transferred to UAE after incident, with UAE public prosecutors linking plan to Sept 11, 2001 attacks.
## Captain's condition
Captain Smit Machchhar was hospitalized in Abu Dhabi with head and left arm bandaged after attack.
## Captain's thoughts
Captain thought aircraft structure was compromised when first blow landed, then realized he was being attacked and things took drastic turn.
## Captain's actions
Captain freed himself from seat belts, blocked blows as much as possible, and screamed for colleagues while reaching for cockpit door knob.
## Captain's fear
Captain described aircraft nose steeply going down as scariest feeling, and was unsure if he would make it out alive from incident.
## UAE investigation
UAE attorney general said co-pilot intended suicide attack to crash plane into Ben Gurion Airport, with plan inspired by Sept 11, 2001 attacks.
## Co-pilot's fate
Co-pilot was transferred to UAE after incident, with UAE public prosecutors launching criminal investigation on October 1.
## Flight details
Flight FZ1073 was in Saudi airspace when attack occurred, with aircraft landing safely in Saudi Arabia after 30 seconds plunge.
## Key takeaway

Flydubai captain Smit Machchhar defended himself against co-pilot's axe attack on flight FZ1073, preventing crash into Ben Gurion Airport.