Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot of Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv, is recovering in a hospital in Abu Dhabi after his co-pilot attacked him with a crash axe inside the cockpit on Wednesday, the Indian embassy in the UAE has said. the co-pilot struck Capt Machchhar with the axe mid-flight and attempted to seize control of the aircraft. Despite head and hand injuries, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing other crew members and a reserve pilot to intervene. They overpowered and restrained the co-pilot, stabilising the aircraft before it landed safely in Tabuk, in north-western Saudi Arabia.
The UAE Attorney General's office described the incident as an "attempted terrorist act" and said investigations into the co-pilot's motives and any possible links were ongoing. The co-pilot's identity and nationality have not been disclosed.
In a statement, the Indian embassy called Captain Machchhar an "Indian braveheart" and said he remains under excellent medical care and is recovering well. He is reported to have held a ten-minute phone call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi from his hospital bed in Abu Dhabi.
The attack has renewed scrutiny of cockpit security protocols on commercial flights in the region. Flydubai has suspended its route to Tel Aviv following the incident, and UAE authorities say the investigation will continue in coordination with regional security agencies.