DUBAI, OCTOBER 03, 2026 : Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar is recovering well after being seriously injured during an alleged attack by his co-pilot aboard a flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, the Indian Embassy in the UAE said Saturday.
Machchhar was injured in the cockpit of Flight FZ1073 on Wednesday after the co-pilot allegedly attacked him while the aircraft was in flight.
The Indian Embassy said Machchhar remains under “excellent medical care” and that officials are in contact with his family and local authorities.
Pilot Remains Under Medical Care
In a statement shared on social media, the Indian Embassy in the UAE said Machchhar was recovering well and expressed its support for his speedy recovery.
The embassy also thanked the UAE Government for providing medical treatment and said it joined his family and well-wishers in hoping for his recovery.
Machchhar was initially treated in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, before being transferred to Abu Dhabi for continued medical care.
Co-Pilot Allegedly Attacked Captain
The UAE is leading the investigation into the incident.
UAE Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi said the co-pilot used a crash axe to attack Machchhar and attempted to take control of the aircraft. UAE state news agency WAM reported that authorities were investigating the incident as an alleged terrorist act.
The co-pilot has been identified in media reports as Omani national Hamam al-Hammami.
Passengers and Crew Helped Stop the Attack
Despite suffering serious injuries, Machchhar reportedly managed to open the cockpit door.
Passengers and crew members then intervened and overpowered the co-pilot, according to earlier reports.
The aircraft, carrying 174 passengers, transmitted emergency signals before making an emergency landing at Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Airport in Tabuk.
The flight reportedly descended rapidly by more than 17,000 feet, from an altitude of approximately 34,000 feet, before landing in Saudi Arabia.
Machchhar Speaks With PM Modi
On Friday, Machchhar spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi by telephone and described how he fought to regain control of the cockpit despite his injuries.
According to the account provided, Machchhar told the Prime Minister:
“I was fighting for my life, but I was determined not to let others die.”
Modi expressed his concern for the pilot and wished him a speedy recovery.
Netanyahu Calls Pilot a Hero
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also praised Machchhar for his actions during the incident, describing him as a “true hero” for helping avert a potentially serious tragedy.
The investigation into the attack remains ongoing, with UAE authorities examining the circumstances surrounding the incident and the alleged actions of the co-pilot.
Key Details
- ✈️ Flight: flydubai FZ1073
- 🧑✈️ Pilot: Captain Smit Machchhar
- 📍 Route: Dubai–Tel Aviv
- 👥 Passengers: 174
- 🛬 Emergency landing: Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
- 🏥 Current treatment: Abu Dhabi
- 🇦🇪 Investigation: UAE authorities
