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Captain Smit Machchhar recounts how he fought through severe injuries and opened the cockpit door for a second time during the flydubai emergency. (Images: X)
Abu Dhabi/Tabuk (Saudi Arabia): New details have emerged about the cockpit attack aboard flydubai Flight FZ1073, with Indian Captain Smit Machchhar describing how he fought to regain access to the cockpit door after being attacked by the flight’s Omani co-pilot. Machchhar recounted the dramatic sequence during a video conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday. His account offers a closer look at the moments that unfolded inside the Boeing 737 MAX 8 before passengers and other crew members intervened.
The Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight was carrying 174 people when the incident occurred on September 30, 2026. The aircraft eventually diverted to Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia and landed safely.
According to Machchhar’s account, the flight had been proceeding normally when the Omani co-pilot, identified in reports as Hamam al-Hammami, stood up and said he wanted to pray. Machchhar said he did not regard the action as unusual. Out of respect, he deliberately kept his attention focused ahead rather than looking behind him. Several minutes later, he felt a powerful impact to the back of his head.
The first blow was so unexpected that Machchhar initially did not understand what had happened. He said he briefly thought the aircraft itself had experienced a serious impact. A subsequent blow made him realise that he was being attacked by the person behind him.
Machchhar said the assault left his vision severely impaired and that he could feel the aircraft descending sharply. Despite his injuries and disorientation he managed to reach the cockpit door. The captain told Netanyahu that he succeeded in opening the door once, but the co-pilot closed it again, causing Machchhar to fall to the floor. That first attempt did not allow anyone outside the cockpit to intervene.
Machchhar said he understood that another opportunity might be his only chance to prevent a catastrophe. He described forcing himself back toward the cockpit door despite his injuries and pushing with everything he had. The second attempt succeeded. When the door opened, Machchhar saw people waiting outside. Passengers and other crew members then rushed into the cockpit, overpowered the attacker and helped restore control of the aircraft.
Machchhar also clarified how the cockpit door mechanism worked after Netanyahu referred to a pin being pulled. According to the captain, there was no pin involved. From inside the cockpit, the door could be opened by turning a knob, while people outside required a code to gain entry. Machchhar said those outside had apparently been trying to enter the code while the attacker prevented the door from being opened. For the injured captain, reaching the internal mechanism became the crucial challenge.
Following the cockpit incident, Flight FZ1073 was diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely. The incident has since prompted investigations involving authorities in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Israel. The precise motive and circumstances surrounding the attack remain part of those investigations.
Netanyahu has publicly described the incident in terms of alleged extremist indoctrination, while the UAE has been examining the circumstances and whether the attack involved prior planning.
The latest account follows Machchhar’s conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 2. During that conversation, the injured captain recalled the decision he made while lying on the cockpit floor: he had to get back up because the lives of those aboard were at risk. Machchhar said he had spent 17 years flying and relied on his understanding of the aircraft even when his vision was badly affected.
He also told Modi that he drew strength from his faith during the crisis and recited the Hanuman Chalisa. The latest account to Netanyahu provides further insight into the critical sequence inside the cockpit: the attack, Machchhar’s first unsuccessful attempt to open the door, and his second attempt that enabled people outside to enter and help overpower the attacker.
Netanyahu has invited Captain Smit Machchhar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Israel for the country's Independence Day. The Israeli prime minister publicly praised the Indian pilot for his actions during the flight emergency. Machchhar is recovering from the injuries sustained during the cockpit attack after being moved from Saudi Arabia to the UAE.
