Dubai — Pilot Stabbed by Co-Pilot on FlyDubai Flight to Tel Aviv

An Indian pilot flying for FlyDubai says he was stabbed by his own co-pilot while the aircraft was in the air between Dubai and Tel Aviv, and that he had to fight back to keep the plane under control, according to The New York Times.

What happened aboard the FlyDubai flight?

Capt. Smit Machchhar was attacked by his co-pilot during a flight between Dubai and Tel Aviv, the Times reported. The attack happened midair, and Machchhar suffered serious injuries in the incident, according to the newspaper's account.

The Times report does not specify the date of the flight, the flight number, or how the aircraft ultimately landed. Those details were not included in the available reporting.

Who is Capt. Smit Machchhar?

Machchhar is an Indian national working as a pilot for FlyDubai, the Dubai-based carrier, according to the Times. The newspaper's account centers on his description of the attack and its aftermath; no additional biographical details about his career or tenure with the airline were provided in the source material.

What did the pilot say about the attack?

Machchhar told the Times he "had to act" to prevent a crash despite his injuries.

"Had to act."

That is the extent of the quoted language available from the reporting. The Times did not publish additional direct quotes describing the sequence of events inside the cockpit, the weapon involved, or how the confrontation ended.

What is known about the co-pilot and the investigation?

The source report identifies the attacker only as Machchhar's co-pilot. It does not name the co-pilot, describe a motive, or say whether criminal charges have been filed in connection with the incident. FlyDubai's own public statement, if one has been issued, was not included in the available reporting, and no aviation-safety authority has been quoted on the record in the material reviewed for this article.

Because those elements are absent from the sourcing, this article does not speculate on what prompted the attack or what regulatory steps, if any, have followed.

What should readers watch for next?

• Whether FlyDubai or Dubai aviation authorities issue a public statement confirming flight details, including date and route specifics.
• Whether Israeli or Indian officials comment, given the flight's Tel Aviv destination and Machchhar's nationality.
• Whether the co-pilot is identified and whether any criminal or regulatory proceeding is opened.
• Any update on Machchhar's medical condition following his injuries.

Glossary

Midair incident — An event, such as a mechanical failure, medical emergency, or in this case an alleged assault, that occurs while an aircraft is airborne rather than on the ground.

Cockpit crew — The pilots responsible for operating an aircraft, typically a captain and a co-pilot (first officer), who share flight duties and are trained to take over controls if the other is incapacitated.

This article will be updated if FlyDubai, Dubai aviation authorities, or Indian officials release additional details confirmed by on-the-record sourcing.

Read the original report at The New York Times.

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