October 1, 2026 | Free India News

Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar is receiving praise following a serious mid-air incident aboard a Flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, Israel, on September 30.

According to Flydubai, an altercation occurred on the flight deck of flight FZ1073. The aircraft was subsequently secured with the assistance of Flydubai crew members who were travelling on board and was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely. All passengers were reported safe.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the co-pilot had attacked Captain Machchhar and apparently attempted to bring down the aircraft. Reuters reported that the aircraft rapidly lost altitude during the incident before control was regained. The precise motive and circumstances remain under investigation.

Captain Machchhar was injured and taken to hospital in Saudi Arabia. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Netanyahu subsequently praised the Indian captain for his actions during the emergency.

The passengers later continued their journey to Israel aboard a replacement aircraft. Authorities in the UAE and Saudi Arabia are investigating the incident, while Flydubai has said it is cooperating with the relevant authorities.

Free India will update this story as further official information becomes available.