Pilot attacked in flydubai altercation Indian
At this early stage, the underlying reasons and motives behind this event are unknown and remain subject to a formal investigation, reads a press statement by flydubai
Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian national and former SpiceJet employee, was attacked during a cockpit altercation on a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30, 2026. The incident occurred on flydubai flight FZ 1073. Initially, the airline called the event an "altercation" and stated that the underlying reasons and motives remain unknown, as a formal investigation is underway.
All passengers and crew were safely secured by on-duty flydubai crew members who diverted and landed the aircraft at Tabuk Airport (TUU) in Saudi Arabia. flydubai announced that flights to and from Israel would be suspended pending the ongoing investigation. The Indian Embassy in Riyadh confirmed that Captain Machchhar is hospitalized in Tabuk city, Saudi Arabia, and receiving necessary medical attention.
They reported that he is in stable condition and hoped for his swift recovery. The embassy also expressed their commitment to keeping the family updated on his health and providing all possible assistance for his wellbeing.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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