The captain of the Flydubai Indian flight, who was attacked by the first officer inside the cockpit mid-flight, has shared dramatic details of the incident. According to the commander, he was determined to prevent passenger casualties and do everything possible to land the aircraft safely. The attack took place on board flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv, when the plane began rapidly losing altitude from over 5,200 meters.

Rescue Chronology and Crew Actions

The incident unfolded on the morning of September 30, 2026, roughly 2.5 hours after takeoff. According to official reports and the captain's own account, the first officer attacked him in the cockpit with a knife. UAE prosecutors later stated that the attacker also used an emergency axe kept in the cockpit for safety emergencies. Lying on the floor and bleeding, Smith Matchchhar realized the critical situation and mustered the strength to unlock the cockpit door from the inside so passengers and backup crew could subdue the attacker.

Contradictory Data

During the investigation, discrepancies emerged in official statements from various nations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the media that one pilot "rammed" another and seemingly attempted to crash the plane. Meanwhile, UAE authorities and the Attorney General classified the co-pilot's actions as a "terrorist attack," pointing to an attempt to seize control of the aircraft. In turn, Indian officials focused on Captain Matchchhar's heroic efforts and his improving health condition in the UAE following the successful landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

Aftermath and Investigation

Thanks to the captain's bravery and the timely intervention of those on board, backup pilots successfully landed the aircraft in Saudi Arabia at 6:58 AM local time. The airline and international authorities are continuing their investigation into the causes of the incident. This event has raised urgent questions regarding flight safety, psychological screening of flight crews, and cockpit access procedures in modern civil aviation.