Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 04:30am on 01 Oct 2026,Thursday India Global
Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Indian Flydubai pilot Captain Smit Machchhar as a “HERO” for his courage during an alleged cockpit attack aboard flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The Boeing 737 MAX 8, carrying 174 people, experienced a violent confrontation when the co-pilot allegedly stabbed Machchhar in an apparent attempt to crash the aircraft. Despite being seriously injured, Machchhar reportedly opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to intervene and restrain the co-pilot. Two off-duty pilots travelling as passengers then helped regain control of the aircraft, which diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, and landed safely. Both pilots were hospitalised; Machchhar was stable, while Saudi authorities arrested the other pilot, according to Reuters.
