UAE Attorney General Dr Hamad Saif Al Shamsi on Thursday, October 1, ordered a team from the Public Prosecution to investigate the incident, which led to the flight being diverted to Saudi Arabia.
The team is working with the General Authority of Civil Aviation and other relevant authorities to establish the facts and circumstances surrounding the incident, the Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.
The investigation will include collecting information and evidence, determining the circumstances and motives involved, and examining whether the incident was linked to any terrorist activity or involved prior planning or direction. Authorities have urged people to avoid speculation or circulating unverified information while the probe is ongoing.
What happened on the flydubai flight
Flydubai flight FZ1073 was travelling from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv on Wednesday, September 30, with 174 people on board when an altercation broke out between the two pilots.
According to Reuters, the aircraft dropped nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds after the co-pilot allegedly stabbed Captain Smit Machchhar. The injured captain managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to intervene and overpower the co-pilot. Two additional flydubai pilots who were travelling on the aircraft then took control and landed it safely in Tabuk.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed Machchhar as a “true hero” on Wednesday and said that “despite being stabbed and seriously injured, he fought back, resisted, opened the cockpit door, and enabled passengers and crew to overpower the attacker — preventing a catastrophic mid-air disaster.”
Indian officials meet Machchhar’s family
Indian Ambassador to the UAE Dr Deepak Mittal and Consul General of India in Dubai Dr E Vishnu Vardhan Reddy met the family members of Captain Smit Machchhar on Thursday.
The officials briefed the family on Machchhar’s health and recovery and said the Indian Embassy and Consulate were in contact with UAE authorities. They also assured the family of continued support.
The officials conveyed appreciation for Machchhar’s courage, presence of mind and efforts to save lives during the flydubai incident.
Modi praises Machchhar’s courage
On Thursday, October 1, Modi described Machchhar as a “hero” and praised his actions during the incident.
“Captain Smit Machchhar is a HERO,” Modi said in a post on X.
“In the face of the gravest danger and despite being seriously injured, Captain Machchhar showed immense courage and an unwavering resolve to protect the lives of others,” he said.
Modi added that Machchhar’s valour helped save hundreds of lives and avert a major tragedy. He also wished the pilot a speedy recovery, renewed strength and good health.
Trump recounts passenger’s intervention
Trump, speaking to reporters at the Oval Office on Wednesday, September 30, said he had discussed the incident with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Trump described Machchhar as a hero and said the pilot managed to open the cockpit door and call for help despite being seriously injured.
He also recounted an account of an Israeli passenger, whom he identified as a plumber, entering the cockpit and helping pull the co-pilot from his seat. Trump said the passenger had never flown an aircraft but had learned basic concepts about flying from watching the television programme Air Disasters.
According to Trump, other passengers helped restrain the co-pilot before additional pilots and security personnel reached the cockpit and took control.
Trump stressed that he was repeating information he had received and had not independently verified all the details.
“Now this is the story that I heard. I don’t know if it’s true,” he said.
Machchhar thanks supporters
In a post on X on Thursday, October 1, Machchhar thanked those who had prayed for him and supported him following the incident.
“I’m deeply grateful to everyone who prayed for me, supported me and sent messages of love and encouragement,” he said.
Thanking his fellow Indians, colleagues, passengers and crew, Machchhar said: “As a pilot, I was simply doing my duty. I’m thankful that the aircraft landed safely and that everyone is safe.”
He added that the prayers and support he received “mean more to me than words can express”.
Machchhar’s flying experience
Machchhar has more than 13 years of experience as a commercial pilot, specialising in Boeing 737 aircraft. He joined flydubai as a captain in June 2022 after an 11-year career with SpiceJet, where he held senior flying and training roles.
At SpiceJet, he accumulated more than 9,500 flight hours, including over 6,400 hours as pilot-in-command. He also worked as a Line Training Captain from November 2020 until his departure in June 2022.
His professional background includes training and mentoring pilots, crew resource management, maintaining flight standards and regulatory compliance, and operating both Boeing 737 NG and MAX aircraft.
