Incident on Flydubai Flight: Co-Pilot Stabs Captain, Passengers Step In to Help
In a shocking incident aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073, an Indian pilot named Smit Machchhar was stabbed by his co-pilot while the plane was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The flight was carrying 174 passengers when the attack occurred in the cockpit.
Musaev Shota, a dentist who was one of the first three passengers to rush into the cockpit, described the dramatic events. After helping to restrain the co-pilot, he attended to Machchhar, who was in “very bad shape.” Shota mentioned that the pilot was alert enough to explain what had happened and shared details about himself, including his age and the fact that he had two children.
According to Shota, when he reached the Indian pilot, Machchhar was suffering from heavy bleeding from his head and hands. As the only medical professional on board, Shota managed to control the bleeding, which helped stabilize the pilot’s condition. However, he noted that Machchhar’s health took a turn for the worse just before landing.
Following the emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, medical teams attended to Machchhar, and Shota later learned that he survived and was out of danger.
This frightening incident unfolded quickly as the passengers responded to the chaos in the cockpit. Shota recalled that once he noticed something was wrong, he didn’t hesitate to act. He ran toward the cockpit, joined by other passengers, to help subdue the attacking co-pilot. Together, they managed to overpower him and tie him up, a brave move that likely prevented further tragedy.
Shota expressed a sense of urgency during the incident, stating, “At that moment you don’t think, you just act.” He described the sheer panic in the cabin as the plane dropped nearly 14,000 feet in a matter of seconds, making passengers fear for their lives. The turmoil prompted a call for additional pilots on board, and one was able to enter the cockpit and regain control of the aircraft, ultimately landing it safely.
As the passengers disembarked in Tabuk, they were relieved after such a harrowing experience, and many were thankful for the quick thinking and teamwork that ensured their safety. Thankful that their extraordinary efforts made a difference, Shota and other passengers reflected on the bravery displayed on that flight.
