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Flydubai pilot cockpit attack and recovery

Updated 3 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-10-06 11:28 UTC → 2026-10-06 17:02 UTC · added removed

On September 30, Captain Smit Machhar, a flydubai pilot, was involved in a violent incident during flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv. While the aircraft was in transit, Machhar was attacked in the cockpit by the co-pilot, identified as Omani national Hamam al-Hammami, who used a crash axe in an attempted terrorist act. Investigators report that al-Hammami caused Machhar to suffer a depressed skull fracture, vision damage, and memory loss. The attacker allegedly attempted to disable the aircraft engines and autopilot, causing the Boeing 737 to drop from 33,000 to 17,000 feet. Reports suggest the intent was to crash the plane into a skyscraper in Tel Aviv, Ben Gurion Airport, or a US military base in Jordan. Despite his injuries, Machhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing the crew and passengers to intervene and secure the aircraft. The plane was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, for an emergency landing, with all 174 passengers and crew surviving. Machhar was subsequently airlifted to the UAE for treatment. Machhar has been visited in the hospital by the Dubai Crown Prince, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, both of whom praised his courage. Israeli Ambassador Reuven Azar noted that the attack appeared to target the diplomatic stability of the Abraham Accords. The Indian Ambassador In response to the UAE, Deepak Mittal, reported that incident, three US lawmakers introduced a bipartisan House resolution, House Resolution 1612, to honor Captain Machhar is recovering well. Al-Hammami remains in custody for his actions. The resolution condemns the incident as an act of terrorism and calls for thorough investigations continue. by both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The passengers on board included many Israeli citizens, four US citizens, and 27 children.

Versions

  1. 2026-10-06 17:02 UTC Flydubai pilot cockpit attack and recovery
  2. 2026-10-06 11:28 UTC Flydubai pilot cockpit attack and recovery
  3. 2026-10-04 17:12 UTC Flydubai pilot cockpit attack and recovery
  4. 2026-10-04 07:55 UTC Flydubai pilot cockpit attack incident

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