Indian-origin aviation professional Smit Machchhar, a captain with Dubai-based airline flydubai, has drawn international attention following a serious cockpit incident aboard flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv. According to media reports, Machchhar helped secure the aircraft after an alleged confrontation with his co-pilot, prompting the flight to divert to Saudi Arabia.
The aircraft was carrying approximately 180 passengers when the incident reportedly occurred while it was flying toward Israel. Reports citing sources said the co-pilot allegedly attacked Machchhar and attempted to take control of the situation in the cockpit. The circumstances surrounding the confrontation, including the co-pilot’s alleged intentions, remain under investigation.
The aircraft subsequently made an emergency landing at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia at approximately 9:45 a.m. local time. According to a statement from the airport operator, both pilots sustained injuries and were taken to a hospital for treatment.
Flydubai confirmed that an altercation had occurred in the flight deck. The airline said the aircraft was successfully secured by on-duty flydubai crew members who were traveling on the flight, allowing it to divert and land safely. The company also arranged replacement aircraft to transport passengers and crew to their intended destinations.
The airline cautioned against speculation, stating that the reasons and motives behind the incident were unknown and would be established through a formal investigation. Although some Israeli officials described the episode as a suspected terrorist attack, those allegations have not been independently established.
Machchhar has more than 13 years of commercial aviation experience, according to details on his professional profile. He joined flydubai in June 2022 as a direct-entry captain after spending more than 11 years with Indian airline SpiceJet.
During his tenure at SpiceJet, he worked as a senior commander and later as a line training captain. His professional profile lists more than 9,500 flying hours accumulated during his time with the airline, including over 6,400 hours as pilot-in-command.
His experience includes operating Boeing 737 aircraft, conducting pilot training and checks, mentoring crew members, and maintaining flight safety standards. His profile indicates approximately 9,750 hours of Boeing 737 flying experience.
Passenger Miryam Shira Ohayon told reporters that the aircraft appeared to be out of control during the confrontation over Jordan. She alleged that the co-pilot attacked the captain and that passengers intervened to restrain him. She also said a doctor aboard the aircraft provided first aid.
These accounts have not independently established the precise sequence of events. Investigators will need to determine what happened in the cockpit and whether the incident involved an intentional attempt to endanger the aircraft.
The safe landing in Tabuk brought the immediate flight emergency to an end, while the formal investigation is expected to clarify the circumstances surrounding the confrontation.
