An Indian captain was injured after a violent confrontation erupted inside the cockpit of a flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday, triggering an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.

The pilot has been identified as Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian national who has flown Boeing 737 aircraft for flydubai since 2022 and previously worked with SpiceJet. The aircraft, Flight FZ1073, eventually landed safely at Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia after passengers and off-duty pilots reportedly intervened during the incident.

Flight Plunges Thousands Of Feet

The Boeing 737 MAX 8 was flying towards Tel Aviv when a confrontation reportedly broke out between the two pilots.

Flight-tracking data showed the aircraft losing around 14,000 feet in less than a minute before recovering. The plane subsequently transmitted emergency signals, including the code associated with unlawful interference, as it diverted towards Saudi Arabia.

According to Israeli officials cited by Reuters, the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain and attempted to crash the aircraft. However, the precise motive behind the confrontation has not been officially established, and flydubai has said it is cooperating with authorities investigating the incident.

Passengers Rush To Cockpit

As the aircraft began its rapid descent, passengers reportedly realised that something was seriously wrong and moved towards the cockpit.

Several passengers are said to have helped overpower the attacker. Two pilots who were travelling on the aircraft as passengers also reportedly stepped in and helped regain control of the plane.

The reserve crew subsequently assisted in flying the aircraft to Tabuk, where it made an emergency landing. All passengers were reported safe.

Passenger accounts described scenes of confusion and panic inside the aircraft, with some people hearing shouting and later seeing blood in the cockpit area.

Who Is Captain Smit Machchhar?

Machchhar, who was reportedly born in Gujarat, has been identified as the captain who was attacked during the incident.

According to his professional profile cited by Hindustan Times, he became a flydubai Boeing 737 captain in June 2022 after spending about 11 years with SpiceJet. His profile lists around 9,750 hours of flying experience on Boeing 737-800 and 737 MAX 8 aircraft.

His identification as an Indian national has also been reported by Israeli media.

Co-Pilot Under Investigation

The co-pilot has been described in Israeli reports as an Omani national. Saudi authorities are investigating the incident, including the circumstances surrounding the confrontation and the actions of the co-pilot.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the co-pilot was arrested and questioned by Saudi authorities. Israeli officials have alleged that the incident was an attempt to crash the aircraft, with some describing it as a possible terror attack. Those characterisations have not been independently established, and the investigation remains underway.

Both Pilots Taken To Hospital

After the emergency landing, both the captain and first officer were taken to hospital in Tabuk for treatment.

The airport confirmed that the aircraft had issued a distress call before landing and that emergency services were deployed. Passengers were also provided assistance following the diversion.

The incident has prompted investigations into what happened inside the cockpit and how the flight was brought under control after the aircraft experienced a sharp descent.

For now, flydubai has confirmed that an incident occurred on the flight and that passengers were safe, while authorities continue to establish the circumstances and motive behind the cockpit confrontation.