Off-duty British pilot helps save Dubai-to-Israel flight from plunge

Summarised from 7 outlets · 8 reports · Updated 3 Oct, 02:37 · Archive

A FlyDubai flight from Dubai to Israel dropped thousands of feet after one pilot allegedly stabbed a colleague and tried to hijack the plane.

A FlyDubai flight from Dubai to Israel experienced a dramatic emergency after one pilot allegedly stabbed his co-pilot and attempted to hijack the aircraft. The plane plunged from 33,000 feet to 17,000 feet in under two minutes, creating panic among passengers and crew.

Indian captain Smit Machchhar, the stabbed pilot, described opening the cockpit door to allow passengers into the flight deck to help halt the rapid descent. Passengers and crew worked together to restrain and tie up the alleged attacker, preventing further harm and regaining control of the aircraft.

An off-duty British pilot who was on board assisted in stabilising the aircraft and bringing it safely to land. The plane made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia as a result of the incident.

Captain Machchhar later spoke with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi about his experience during the attack and its aftermath.

Fox News reports that the co-pilot had previously been grounded by Oman Air in 2024 following visits to radical Islamic websites. According to the report, the co-pilot was subsequently hired by FlyDubai without undergoing a background check.

How it is being reported

• FlyDubai co-pilot accused of cockpit attack was grounded by Oman Air before joining airline: reportThe FlyDubai co-pilot was reportedly grounded by Oman Air in 2024 over visits to radical Islamic websites before being hired without a background check.Fox News · 2 Oct, 22:20
• The flydubai 1073 hijacking: Letters to the Editor — Oct. 3, 2026NY Post readers discuss a co-pilot stabbing the captain on a Israel-bound flight before passengers stepped in to fight back.New York Post · 2 Oct, 21:04
• FlyDubai pilot speaks out as videos show desperate screaming, chaos near cockpitThe FlyDubai pilot who survived a midair stabbing and managed to seek help before his plane plunged is speaking out. CBS News' Dov Lieber reports.CBS News · 2 Oct, 17:59
• 12 minutes of madness: How Flydubai pilot, passengers saved plane midfallAs it plunged 17,000ft in under two minutes, a quick-thinking captain and passengers saved plane from crashing.Al Jazeera · 2 Oct, 13:37
• Israel flight hijacking latest: New footage emerges from inside plane after co-pilot ‘attacked captain with axe’The flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv plunged approximately 13,000 feet in 30 seconds after the pilot lost control of the aircraftIndependent World · 2 Oct, 11:23
• FlyDubai pilot speaks out after being stabbed by hijacker and preventing '9/11-type disaster'The FlyDubai pilot has spoken out after being stabbed by a hijacker and preventing a "9/11-type disaster". Indian pilot Smit Machchhar described the attack during a video call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Flydubai jet from Dubai to Israel plunged from 33,000 feet to 17,000 feet in just a minute after one pilot allegedly stabbed his co-pilot, then tried to hijack the plane. He said that he opened the cockpit door of the Israel-bound plane to let passengers in and halt its rapid descent. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Passengers and crew then managed to tie up and stop the…GB News · 2 Oct, 10:04
• Off-duty British pilot pulled hijacked jet out of 'death plunge' thwarting '9/11-style' crashAn off-duty British pilot helped prevent a "9/11-style" jet crash which could have claimed thousands of lives, it has been revealed. A Flydubai jet from Dubai to Israel plunged from 33,000 feet to 17,000 feet in just a minute after one pilot allegedly stabbed his co-pilot then tried to hijack the plane. Passengers and crew then managed to tie up and stop the alleged attacker, forcing the jet to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia and stopping it from crashing. Now, it has been revealed an off-duty British pilot helped to stabilise and land the jet. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say…GB News · 1 Oct, 03:02
• Off-duty Brit pilot ‘helped rescue FlyDubai plane after 'pilot stabbed colleague'The FlyDubai plane dramatically dropped from 33,000 feet to 17,000 feet in about a minute, leaving passengers terrified.Daily Express · 30 Sept, 23:41

In this story: FlyDubai · Smit Machchhar · Dubai · Israel · Saudi Arabia · Narendra Modi · Oman Air · India

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log