‘I couldn’t let passengers die’: SA pilot helps avert Flydubai disaster

A South African pilot travelling as an off-duty relief crew member helped save more than 170 people after a Flydubai co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain and attempted to take control of a Tel Aviv-bound aircraft.

According to The Citizen, the incident happened aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv on 30 September, when the co-pilot allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar inside the cockpit.

The Boeing 737 briefly plunged about 17 000 feet before passengers and crew intervened. The injured captain managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to enter and overpower the attacker. The aircraft was then diverted to Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

Flydubai captain Smit Machchhar, a pilot for 17 years, said: “I was trying to save myself, but I also knew that I can’t let anyone die.” pic.twitter.com/Tnr8s9enxY

— The Jerusalem Post (@Jerusalem_Post) October 2, 2026

*Reuters *reported that two off-duty Flydubai pilots were travelling on the flight and helped regain control of the aircraft.

One was South African, and the other was from New Zealand.

The South African pilot and his New Zealand colleague subsequently took control and landed the aircraft safely in Tabuk, according to Smile FM.

Initial investigation

The captain’s actions were also crucial. After being seriously injured, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door despite the attack, allowing passengers to intervene.

Omani Co-Pilot Planned To Crash Flydubai Jet Into Israel’s Busiest Airport, Had Abandoned Earlier Attack In July – N12

Hamam al-Hammami planned to take control of the aircraft, enter Israeli airspace normally and receive landing clearance before crashing at Ben Gurion Airport.

Indian captain Smit Machchhar disrupted the plan by opening the cockpit door, allowing others onboard to intervene.

The report also says al-Hammami had previously studied the airport and abandoned an earlier attack plan in July. (N12)

— RT_India (@RT_India_news) October 5, 2026

‘I knew I couldn’t let the passengers die,’ Machchhar later told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to Euronews.

Passengers then subdued the co-pilot while others helped stabilise the aircraft before the off-duty pilots took over.

The UAE has since described the incident as an attempted ‘terrorist attack’, with its prosecutor general saying the co-pilot attacked the captain with a cockpit crash axe.

#Watch: Flydubai Flight Attack: Accused Allegedly Planned to Kill Pilot, Seize Control and Crash Plane #kalingatv https://t.co/U0QM88HIPJ

— Kalinga TV (@kalingatv) October 5, 2026

The co-pilot was identified by sources as Omani national Hammam al-Hammami, although UAE authorities had not publicly confirmed his identity.

Saudi authorities said an initial investigation found that the captain was ‘assaulted by his co-pilot, resulting in various injuries to both’.

All passengers survived the incident and continued their journey to Israel on a replacement Flydubai aircraft. Investigations by UAE and Saudi authorities into the circumstances and motive remain ongoing.

Also Read:

Netanyahu issues warning over FlyDubai attack

**Picture: **DEBRAJ ROY / Pexels

**Words: **Betha Madhomu / AfricanInsider

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