---
title: "Pilot stabbed by co-pilot diverts flydubai flight to Saudi Arabia"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/conflict/pilot-stabbed-by-co-pilot-diverts-flydubai-flight-to-saudi-arabia"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/pilot-stabbed-by-co-pilot-diverts-flydubai-flight-to-saudi-arabia"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/conflict/pilot-stabbed-by-co-pilot-diverts-flydubai-flight-to-saudi-arabia.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/pilot-stabbed-by-co-pilot-diverts-flydubai-flight-to-saudi-arabia"
category: "Conflict & Security"
area: "Middle East"
published: "2026-10-01T02:46:27.113Z"
source_reported: "2026-10-01T02:30:22.000Z"
updated: "2026-10-01T02:46:27.113Z"
trust_score: 68
critic_score: 85
hype_score: 55
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-10-01T02:45:26.976246+00:00"
---

# Pilot stabbed by co-pilot diverts flydubai flight to Saudi Arabia

*Indian captain Smit Machchhar opened cockpit door after attack, allowing passengers to subdue co-pilot.*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 68 of 100, higher is better. Trust 68: multiple named sources and official statements cited, but key figures lack origin and some facts are hedged.
- Craft 85 of 100, higher is better. Critic 85: includes direct quotes, clear facts, specific details and next steps, with coherent reporting.
- Hype 55 of 100, lower is better. Hype 55: widespread hero language and dramatic framing create notable sensationalism across digests.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- Flydubai flight FZ1073 diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, on 30 September 2026, after a cockpit altercation.
- Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian pilot, was stabbed by his co-pilot but opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers to subdue the attacker.
- The flight carried approximately 174 passengers, all of whom survived the incident.
- US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly called Captain Machchhar a hero.

Flydubai flight FZ1073, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, on 30 September 2026, following an altercation in the cockpit. Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian national, was stabbed by his co-pilot. Despite his injuries, Captain Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, which allowed passengers and crew to intervene and subdue the co-pilot. The aircraft landed safely in Saudi Arabia with approximately 174 passengers on board, all of whom survived the incident.

## Disagreement on co-pilot's motive

Live Mint reported that US President Donald Trump stated the co-pilot "seemed as though the co-pilot was perhaps a terrorist or perhaps a whack job." He added that Netanyahu and others told him about how a passenger managed to take control of the plane after it began nosediving. According to Live Mint, Netanyahu said the evidence indicated that one pilot stabbed the other and then apparently attempted to crash the aircraft. However, The Siasat Daily stated that the circumstances surrounding the cockpit incident and the motive behind the attack remain under investigation.

## Omissions in coverage

None of the right-rated digests mention the specific detail that Captain Machchhar is an Indian pilot based in Dubai, a fact reported by Live Mint. The right-rated digests also do not mention the specific figure of 9,750 total flying hours for Captain Machchhar, as reported by Live Mint.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 20 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 25% (5)
- Centre: 10% (2)
- Right: 65% (13)

25 of 45 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-10-01T02:45:26.976246+00:00.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 1 time; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-10-01T03:00:13.970Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- The left-rated reports focused on the actions of Captain Smit Machchhar and the passengers in averting disaster. The Siasat Daily highlighted that the Israeli Foreign Ministry said Machchhar fought back after being stabbed and managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to intervene. OnManorama and fakti.bg also reported that Machchhar was hailed as a hero for foiling a crash attempt and that he was in hospital in Tabuk. Indian Express and OnManorama mentioned Prime Minister Modi praising the pilot's valour and his role in foiling the co-pilot's bid to crash the flight. Spiegel noted that Netanyahu honoured the attacked pilot as a "true hero" and that several passengers spoke up about subduing the alleged attacker.

### Centre

- Centre-rated reports focused on the details of the incident and the praise for Captain Machchhar. Live Mint quoted US President Donald Trump calling the co-pilot "perhaps a terrorist or perhaps a whack job" and Captain Machchhar a hero for opening the cockpit door. The report also detailed how Netanyahu said evidence indicated an attempt to crash the aircraft and that passengers intervened. Hindustan Times described the stabbing, the drop, and the 'blood everywhere' in the cockpit, detailing how Captain Machchhar saved 174 lives.

### Right

- Right-rated reports led with praise for Captain Smit Machchhar from political leaders. The Hindu Business Line, Latestly, and Times of India reported that Prime Minister Modi hailed Machchhar as a hero for saving lives. CNBC-TV18 and India Today also highlighted Netanyahu calling Machchhar a "true hero" and Modi praising his "immense courage." Tribune India and Zoom News reported Trump's comments, describing the co-pilot as a "terrorist or whack job" and Machchhar as a hero. Yonhap News Agency reported that the pilot prevented an intentional crash. Pro Pakistani stated the co-pilot stabbed the Indian pilot to crash a flight full of Israeli citizens. Tribunnews.com reported that passengers stormed the cockpit to stop the attacker.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- mixed: 12
- high: 6
- unknown: 25
- veryHigh: 2

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [The Hindu Business Line](https://thehindubusinessline.com/news/pm-modi-hails-pilot-smit-machchhar-as-hero-for-saving-flydubai-flight-from-crash/article71531246.ece) — PM Modi hails pilot Smit Machchhar as 'hero' for saving flydubai flight from crash
- [Zoom News](https://zoomnews.in/en/news-detail/indian-pilot-smit-machhar-saves-174-lives-on-flydubai-flight-netanyahu-praises-bravery.html) — Indian Pilot Smit Machhar Saves 174 Lives On Flydubai Flight, Netanyahu Praises Bravery
- [CNBC-TV18](https://cnbctv18.com/world/flydubai-pilot-smit-machchhar-stable-netanyahu-hero-trump-flight-incident-saudi-arabia-20002584.htm) — flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar stable, Israeli PM Netanyahu says 'He is a true hero'
- [The CSR Journal](https://thecsrjournal.in/trump-calls-indian-pilot-smit-machchhar-a-hero-after-flydubai-incident) — Trump Calls Indian Pilot Smit Machchhar A Hero After Flydubai Incident
- [Prabhat Khabar - Hindi News](https://prabhatkhabar.com/world/indian-pilot-smit-machchhar-flydubai-flight-attack-netanyahu-reaction) — Israeli PM Salutes Indian Pilot's Bravery
- [연합뉴스-Yonhap News Agency](https://yna.co.kr/view/AKR20261001073651104) — Pilot Who Prevented Intentional Crash of Passenger Plane to Israel Is an Indian Veteran Captain (Roundup)
- [Indian Abroad News - We Bring You Home](https://indianabroad.news/india-is-proud-pm-modi-praises-pilot-capt-smit-machchhar-for-averting-flydubai-hijack-attempt) — 'India is proud': PM Modi praises pilot Capt Smit Machchhar for averting Flydubai hijack attempt
- [NEWS9 LIVE](https://news9live.com/world/smit-machchhar-flydubai-flight-indian-pilot-3012147) — How ‘hero’ Indian pilot Smit Machchhar helped save Flydubai flight
- [Pro Pakistani](https://propakistani.pk/2026/10/01/omani-co-pilot-stabs-indian-pilot-to-crash-flydubai-flight-full-of-israeli-citizens) — Omani Co-Pilot Stabs Indian Pilot to Crash FlyDubai Flight Full of Israeli Citizens
- [Tribune India](https://tribuneindia.com/news/world/terrorist-or-whack-job-trump-on-flydubai-co-pilot-after-mid-air-attack-calls-indian-captain-smit-machchhar-a-hero-2-2) — Terrorist or whack job”: Trump on flydubai co-pilot after mid-air attack; calls Indian Captain Smit Machchhar a hero - The Tribune
- [Mangalorean.com](https://mangalorean.com/india-is-proud-pm-modi-praises-pilot-capt-smit-machchhar-for-averting-flydubai-hijack-attempt) — 'India is proud': PM Modi praises pilot Capt Smit Machchhar for averting Flydubai hijack attempt
- [Indian Express](https://indianexpress.com/article/india/pm-modi-praises-indian-pilot-smit-machchhar-flydubai-incident-10901551) — PM Modi praises Indian pilot who foiled co-pilot’s bid to crash flydubai flight
- [Latestly](https://latestly.com/india/news/pm-narendra-modi-benjamin-netanyahu-donald-trump-and-other-leaders-praise-indian-pilot-smit-machchhar-for-averting-mid-air-disaster-7627826.html) — PM Narendra Modi, Benjamin Netanyahu, Donald Trump and Other Leaders Praise Indian Pilot Smit Machchhar for Averting Mid-Air Disaster | 📰 LatestLY
- [tv9gujarati.com](https://tv9gujarati.com/international-news/breaking-news-people-hailed-flydubai-s-indian-pilot-smit-machchhar-as-a-hero-1524837.html) — Breaking News: The World Salutes Flydubai's Indian Pilot Smit, Know Who Smit Machar Is
- [bhaskarlive.in](https://bhaskarlive.in/others/india-is-proud-pm-modi-praises-pilot-capt-smit-machchhar-for-averting-flydubai-hijack-attempt-2147080) — 'India is proud': PM Modi praises pilot Capt Smit Machchhar for averting Flydubai hijack attempt
- [www.agenciapi.co](https://agenciapi.co/noticia/mundo/benjamin-netanyahu-recibio-al-pasajero-que-frustro-presunto-atentado-en-avion-de-flydubai) — Benjamin Netanyahu Received the Passenger Who Thwarted the Alleged Bombing of Flydubai's Plane
- [Spiegel](https://spiegel.de/ausland/flydubai-benjamin-netanyahu-wuerdigt-piloten-nach-angriff-als-wahren-helden-a-827820ff-8aa8-4849-b587-77288050548d) — Violence in Flydubai Machine: Netanyahu Honors Attacked Pilots as "True Heroes"
- [kenh14.vn](https://kenh14.vn/buong-lai-nhu-phim-hanh-dong-phi-cong-chan-tham-kich-co-pho-lao-may-bay-xuong-dat-215261001083648963.chn) — The Cockpit Looked Like Something Out of an Action Movie; the Pilot Averted a Tragedy as the Co-Pilot Crashed the Plane to the Ground.
- [Unknown](https://matichon.co.th/foreign/news_5913638) — Netanyahu Praises Indian Pilot for Saving 174 Passengers, Says Their Condition Is Stable.
- [TV9 Marathi](https://tv9marathi.com/international/israeli-prime-minister-benjamin-netanyahu-thanked-indian-origin-pilot-smit-machchhar-for-preventing-a-plane-crash-1768549.html) — Indian-Origin Pilot Smit Was Bitten by a Mosquito, His Brother Saved the Lives of 180 People, the Israeli Prime Minister Directly Said It Was true..
- [India Today](https://indiatoday.in/india/story/showed-immense-courage-pm-praises-hero-capt-smit-machchhar-for-averting-tragedy-on-flydubai-plane-3007051-2026-10-01) — Showed immense courage: PM praises hero Indian pilot for averting flydubai tragedy
- [India TV News](https://indiatvnews.com/news/world/netanyahu-hails-indian-pilot-smit-machchhar-for-averting-mid-air-catastrophe-calls-him-true-hero-2026-10-01-1055777) — 'He is a true hero': Netanyahu hails Indian pilot Smit Machchhar for averting mid-air catastrophe
- [Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/captain-smit-machchhar-is-a-hero-pm-modi-hails-pilot-who-saved-180-lives/articleshow/134605891.cms) — ‘Captain Smit Machchhar is a hero’: PM Modi hails pilot who saved 180 lives
- [Tribunnews.com](https://tribunnews.com/internasional/7890420/kopilot-diduga-tikam-kapten-pesawat-flydubai-penumpang-terobos-kokpit-dan-lumpuhkan-penyerang) — Co-Pilot Allegedly Stabs FlyDubai Captain, Passenger Breaks Into Cockpit and Paralyzes Attacker
- [navbharatlive.com](https://navbharatlive.com/world/trump-calls-indian-pilot-smit-machchhar-hero-flydubai-flight-nkr24) — President Trump Called Indian Captain Smit Machhar a Hero for Risking His Life to Save Passengers in Mid-Air.
- [OnManorama](https://onmanorama.com/news/india/2026/10/01/mumbai-pilot-hailed-hero-after-foiling-flydubai-crash-attempt.html) — ‘Saved 174 people’: Netanyahu, Trump hail Mumbai pilot who foiled Flydubai crash attempt
- [sawaleif.com](https://sawaleif.com/%D8%B5%D8%AD%D9%8A%D9%81%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D9%83%D8%B4%D9%81-%D8%AC%D9%86%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%B7%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%81%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%8A-%D8%AF%D8%A8%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%A8-1110652) — Newspaper Reveals the Nationality of the Injured Flydubai Pilot and Details About His Life.
- [Hindustan Times](https://hindustantimes.com/india-news/cockpit-stabbing-a-14-000-feet-drop-blood-everywhere-how-indian-pilot-smit-machchhar-saved-174-lives-on-flydubai-plane-101790816370547.html) — Cockpit stabbing, a 14,000 feet drop, 'blood everywhere': How Indian pilot Smit Machchhar saved 174 lives on flydubai plane
- [Mathrubhumi](https://mathrubhumi.com/news/world/netanyahu-praises-indian-pilot-smith-machar-dubai-tel-aviv-flight-wixubcyb) — Netanyahu Praises Indian Pilot on FlyDubai Flight for 'Extraordinary Courage, a True Hero'
- [Unknown](https://aajtak.in/world/story/smit-machchhar-flydubai-pilot-trump-hero-smsr-2657818-2026-10-01) — The Whole of Israel Is Saluting, Trump Also Praised the Indian Pilot, Saying
- [India TV Hindi Hindi](https://indiatv.in/world/asia/israeli-pm-benjamin-netanyahu-and-us-president-donald-trump-hail-captain-smit-machhar-calls-him-hero-who-saved-174-passengers-in-flydubai-flight-2026-10-01-1246302) — Netanyahu and Trump Hail Captain Smit Machhar, Who Saved the Lives of 174 Passengers, as a Hero - India TV Hindi
- [MSNBCTV NEWS](https://msnbctv.news/israel-flight-hijacking-latest-netanyahu-names-true-hero-pilot-who-opened-cockpit-door-after-being-stabbed) — Israel flight hijacking latest: Netanyahu names ‘true hero’ pilot who opened cockpit door after being stabbed
- [TV9 Hindi](https://tv9hindi.com/world/flydubai-indian-pilot-smit-machchhar-hailed-hero-by-trump-netanyahu-3921942.html) — The World Salutes Flydubai's Indian Pilot Smit, with Everyone From Trump to Netanyahu Saying This.
- [online-listing.com](https://online-listing.com/news/blogger/2026/10/01/israeli-pm-hails-indian-pilot-wounded-in-diverted-flydubai-flight-the-hindu/happenings) — Israeli PM hails Indian pilot wounded in diverted flydubai flight – The Hindu
- [fakti.bg](https://fakti.bg/world/1085196-raneniat-pilot-na-flaidubai-e-v-bolnica-v-tabuk) — The Injured Flydubai Pilot Is in Hospital in Tabuk
- [Live Mint](https://livemint.com/news/us-news/perhaps-a-terrorist-or-a-whack-job-trump-on-flydubai-attack-calls-indian-capt-smit-machchhar-a-hero-11790814432500.html) — ‘Perhaps a terrorist or a whack-job’: Trump on flydubai attack, hails Indian Capt Smit Machchhar as hero
- [The Siasat Daily](https://siasat.com/indian-flydubai-pilot-stable-after-saudi-flight-incident-3550614) — Indian flydubai pilot stable after Saudi flight incident
- [Social News XYZ](https://socialnews.xyz/2026/09/30/india-is-proud-pm-modi-praises-pilot-capt-smit-machchhar-for-averting-flydubai-hijack-attempt) — ‘India is proud’: PM Modi praises pilot Capt Smit Machchhar for averting Flydubai hijack attempt
- [Firstpost News](https://firstpost.com/world/he-is-a-true-hero-netanyahu-trump-hail-indian-pilot-for-saving-flydubai-plane-from-crashing-14049550.html) — 'He is a true hero': Netanyahu, Trump hail Indian pilot for saving flydubai plane from crashing
- [Caraota Digital](https://caraotadigital.net/mundo/piloto-indio-herido-en-avion-de-flydubai-a-israel-se-encuentra-estable) — Indian Pilot Wounded by Plane From Flydubai to Israel Is Stable
- [Life.ru](https://life.ru/p/posolstvo-indii-soobschilo-o-stabilnom-sostoyanii-ranenogo-kapitana-flydubai) — The Indian Embassy Reported on the Stable Condition of the Wounded Flydubai Captain
- [Document](https://document.no/2026/10/01/flydubai-kaptein-far-behandling-pa-sykehus-i-saudi-arabia) — Flydubai Captain Receives Treatment in Hospital in Saudi Arabia
- [NDTV](https://ndtv.com/world-news/india-embassy-in-saudi-says-injured-captain-smit-machchhar-is-stable-12122657) — India Embassy In Saudi Says Injured Captain Smit Machchhar Is "Stable"
- [Moneycontrol](https://moneycontrol.com/news/india/flydubai-pilot-smit-machchhar-undergoing-treatment-at-saudi-hospital-is-stable-says-indian-embassy-in-riyadh-14042347.html) — flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar undergoing treatment at Saudi hospital, is stable, says Indian Embassy in Riyadh
- [matzav.com](https://matzav.com/blood-soaked-hero-stabbed-flydubai-captain-seen-clinging-to-life-after-alleged-copilot-tried-to-crash-israel-bound-jet) — BLOOD-SOAKED HERO: Stabbed Flydubai Captain Seen Clinging to Life After Alleged Copilot Tried to Crash Israel-Bound Jet

## Questions

**What happened on flydubai flight FZ1073?**

On 30 September 2026, flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv experienced a violent altercation in the cockpit. The co-pilot allegedly stabbed Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot. Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to subdue the attacker. The flight was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, and landed safely.

**Who is Captain Smit Machchhar?**

Captain Smit Machchhar is an Indian pilot who was the captain of flydubai flight FZ1073. He has over 13 years of commercial aviation experience and approximately 9,750 flying hours. He is credited with averting a potential crash after being stabbed by his co-pilot.

**How did passengers intervene?**

After Captain Smit Machchhar was stabbed by his co-pilot and managed to open the cockpit door, passengers and crew members were able to enter the cockpit. They intervened and subdued the attacking co-pilot, helping to stabilize the aircraft and prevent it from crashing.

**What was the reaction from world leaders?**

US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly praised Captain Smit Machchhar, calling him a hero for his bravery in averting the disaster. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also hailed Machchhar's courage and actions in saving the lives of those on board.

---

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