---
title: "Flydubai Flight Captain Recounts First Officer's Cockpit Attack Details"
description: "Flydubai flight captain recounts the first officer's cockpit knife attack and his decision to unlock the cabin door to save 170 passengers."
date: 2026-10-03T10:04:36.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/flydubai-flight-captain-recounts-cockpit-attack
tags: [flydubai, aviation-incident, middle-east, flight-safety]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Flydubai Flight Captain Recounts First Officer's Cockpit Attack Details

![Flydubai flight captain following the cockpit incident](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/03/kapitan-rejsa-flydubai-rasskazal-o-napadenii-v-kabine/kapitan-rejsa-flydubai-rasskazal-o-napadenii-v-kabine-1.webp)

## 🎯 Key Points

- The first officer of flight FZ1073 attacked the captain with a knife and an emergency axe.
- Injured Captain Smith Matchchhar managed to unlock the cockpit door so passengers could subdue the attacker.
- The aircraft made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, and none of the 170 passengers died.
- UAE authorities classify the incident as a terrorist attack.

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.

## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification

- [Капитан рейса Flydubai рассказывает о нападении, совершенном в кабине пилотов.](https://www.vietnam.vn/ru/co-truong-chuyen-bay-flydubai-ke-lai-viec-bi-tan-cong-trong-buong-lai) - Основной источник интервью с капитаном Смитом Маччхаром.
- [Капитан самолета Flydubai, переживший нападение второго пилота, впервые рассказал, что произошло в ...](https://news.zerkalo.io/world/137758.html) - Подтверждает хронологию инцидента и детали снижения высоты.
- [«Я сказал себе: дверь совсем рядом, просто открой ее» Капитан рейса Flydubai пришел в себя. Вот что он ...](https://meduza.io/feature/2026/10/02/ya-skazal-sebe-dver-sovsem-ryadom-prosto-otkroy-ee) - Детали о видеозвонке с премьер-министром Нарендрой Моди.
- [Второй пилот напал с ножом прямо в кабине: раненый капитан Flydubai спас самолет](https://www.osnmedia.ru/world/vtoroj-pilot-napal-s-nozhom-pryamo-v-kabine-ranenyj-kapitan-flydubai-spas-samolet/) - Детали посадки в Табуке и контекст заявления властей ОАЭ.

## ❓ FAQ

### Q: What flight was the Flydubai aircraft operating?
**A:** The aircraft was operating flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv.

### Q: Where did the plane land after the incident?
**A:** The plane landed safely at Tabuk Airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia.