{
  "id": 11181920,
  "title": "Why Were 4 Pilots Aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073? How Extra Crew Helped After Smit Machchhar Was Stabbed",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/why-were-4-pilots-aboard-flydubai-flight-fz1073-how-extra-crew-helped",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-01T10:59:27.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/why-were-4-pilots-aboard-flydubai-flight-fz1073-how-extra-crew-helped-after-smit-machchhar-was-stabbed"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On Wednesday, a Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv experienced a cockpit attack that resulted in the diversion of the aircraft to Saudi Arabia. The incident involved the captain, Smit Machchhar, who was stabbed by another pilot, allegedly leading to a steep descent of about 14,000 feet within 30 seconds. Four pilots were aboard the Boeing 737 that day, including two additional pilots who took control of the aircraft during the crisis. The extra pilots were present due to regional airspace restrictions that could have forced the flight to take a longer route, potentially exceeding duty hours for the original crew. Israeli passengers and crew members intervened, restraining the suspected attacker and eventually taking control of the plane. The incident, described as a \"deliberate terror attack\" by Israeli officials, highlights the importance of having additional pilots aboard to handle potential rerouting and duty hour limitations.",
  "summary": "Indian pilot Smit Machchhar and the copilot who allegedly stabbed him mid-flight were not the only pilots aboard the flydubai flight to Tel Aviv when chaos erupted on Wednesday. Two other pilots were travelling on FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv. According to a BBC report, they took control of the aircraft as passengers and crew tried to overpower and restrain the suspected attacker. Why Were Four…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Press Journal",
        "title": "‘Never Heard Or Seen Such Incident In 50 Years’: Federation Of Indian Pilots Chief Reacts To Attack On Captain Smit Machchhar Aboard Flydubai Flight| VIDEO",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/never-heard-or-seen-such-incident-in-50-years-federation-of-indian",
        "published": "2026-10-01T10:34:35.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "How was the Flydubai pilot who attacked his co-pilot cleared to fly?",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/how-was-the-flydubai-pilot-who-attacked-his-co-pilot-cleared-to-fly",
        "published": "2026-10-01T11:50:25.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CBC News",
        "title": "U.A.E. announces investigation into FlyDubai incident",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/u-a-e-announces-investigation-into-flydubai-incident",
        "published": "2026-10-01T12:09:52.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "Flydubai incident: Was Smit Machchhar attacked with a knife or crash axe?",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/flydubai-incident-was-smit-machchhar-attacked-with-a-knife-or-crash",
        "published": "2026-10-01T12:14:19.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CBS News",
        "title": "Man who helped subdue pilot in FlyDubai cockpit incident speaks out",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/man-who-helped-subdue-pilot-in-flydubai-cockpit-incident-speaks-out",
        "published": "2026-10-01T12:48:19.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}