Injured Flydubai Captain Recalls Cockpit Fight At 14,000ft

Captain Smit Machchhar, pilot of flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv, fought to regain control after being attacked in the cockpit as the aircraft descended more than 17,000 feet in 29 seconds. Despite his injuries, the Indian pilot managed to open the cockpit door, allowing others to intervene and help save 182 lives. | Photo: Embassy of India in Israel

TEL AVIV, Israel — An injured flydubai captain has recounted how he fought to regain control of his aircraft after being attacked in the cockpit during a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight, saying he feared for his life but knew he could not abandon his passengers.

Flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar described the ordeal for the first time in an interview with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recalling how he struggled to get back on his feet despite severe injuries.

“In that moment, I was fighting for my life,” Machchhar said, describing how he lay wounded on the cockpit floor. Drawing on his 17 years of aviation experience, including 11 years as a captain, he said he could sense that the aircraft was descending even without looking at its instruments.

“I was doing this for my life, but at the same time, I knew that I couldn’t let everybody else die,” he said. Machchhar recalled telling himself: “One last push, Smit! Just do it. The door is right there.”

Despite the attacker continuing to beat him, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to rush in and restrain the assailant, the aircraft’s first officer.

He added the successful outcome was a “collective effort”, crediting everyone who helped bring the situation under control.

The incident occurred on Wednesday aboard flight FZ1073, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 carrying 174 passengers, mostly Israelis, and 8 crew members from Dubai to Tel Aviv.

Flight-tracking data showed the aircraft transmitting emergency codes “7700” and “7500” before losing more than 14,000 feet in about 29 seconds.

Two off-duty flydubai pilots aboard the aircraft also helped secure the flight, which was diverted and landed safely at Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

All passengers and crew were accounted for, landing later the same day at Ben Gurion Airport on Wednesday evening, Sept. 30, 2026.