# Flydubai hijacking attempt and cockpit attack

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/flydubai-hijacking-attempt-and-cockpit-attack
> Updated: 2026-09-30T19:48:26.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 2.

An attempted hijacking occurred on Flydubai flight FZ1073 during a journey from Dubai to Tel Aviv. An Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain, Smit Machhar, with a knife in the cockpit. During the struggle, the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of altitude before control was regained and the plane made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

Captain Machhar sustained serious injuries to his head and hands but was reported to be in stable condition. A Georgian-Israeli dentist on board, Shota Musaev, provided medical assistance to stop the captain’s bleeding after passengers helped subdue the attacker. 

International leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump, praised the captain’s bravery. Netanyahu described Machhar as a ‘true hero,’ noting that his actions saved the lives of approximately 174 passengers. 

The Indian Embassy in the UAE has confirmed it is monitoring Machhar’s recovery in a Saudi Arabian hospital and remains in contact with his family. Following the incident, passengers were able to continue their journey to Tel Aviv on a different Flydubai aircraft.

## Claims

- A co-pilot on a Flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv attacked Captain Smit Machchhar with a knife. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The Flydubai aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Captain Smit Machchhar saved the lives of 174 people and prevented a catastrophic mid-air disaster. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Captain Smit Machchhar is in good health and recovering well in a hospital in Tabuk. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The attacking co-pilot is an Omani national. (single source)
- Donald Trump hailed Captain Machchhar as a hero. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-30: Dentist saves Flydubai pilot after cockpit attack

Georgian-Israeli dentist Shota Musaev helped restrain an attacking co-pilot and provided life-saving medical aid to a wounded Flydubai captain during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dentist-saves-flydubai-pilot-after-cockpit-attack

### 2026-09-30: Captain Smit Machchhar hailed as hero after mid-air attack

Indian pilot Smit Machchhar is recovering in Saudi Arabia after surviving a co-pilot's knife attack on a Flydubai flight, an act of bravery credited with saving 174 lives.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/captain-smit-machhar-hailed-as-hero-after-preventing-mid-air-hijacking-attempt

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Cite as: Flydubai hijacking attempt and cockpit attack. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/flydubai-hijacking-attempt-and-cockpit-attack