FlyDubai pilot praised for averting disaster as cockpit attack probe continues
Pilot Smit Machchhar spoke from his hospital bed after opening the cockpit door during an attack by his co-pilot, allowing passengers to restrain the assailant.
Captain Smit Machchhar, the pilot injured during the FlyDubai flight FZ1073 incident, spoke from his hospital bed after surviving a cockpit attack by his co-pilot. Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door while the aircraft was plummeting, allowing passengers and off-duty crew to intervene and restrain the assailant. Both Israeli and Indian prime ministers praised Machchhar as a hero for preventing a catastrophic crash.
The suspect remains in custody in Saudi Arabia, where authorities are conducting an investigation ahead of a potential transfer to the United Arab Emirates. While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cautioned that it was "too early to say" whether foreign entities were involved, reports indicated growing scrutiny around the co-pilot's background and potential radicalization.
Sources: Aftenposten, Berlingske, Finansavisen, TV 2 Nyheter, VG
Sources
- Finansavisen — Knivdrama i cockpiten: – For tidlig å si hvem som står bak
- TV 2 Nyheter — Overmannet angriperen: – Tok kvelertak på ham
- Berlingske — Israel hylder heltene, der forhindrede »et nyt 9/11«
- Aftenposten — Knivstukket pilot: – Jeg hadde ikke tenkt å la andre dø
- VG (Verdens Gang) — Knivstukket pilot: – Visste at flyet var på vei ned
Earlier coverage
- Oct 2, 2026, 02:00 AM UTCFlyDubai co-pilot subdued after stabbing pilot on flight to Israel