Co‑pilot attacks captain on Fly Dubai Flight 1073, passengers intervene
On September 30, 2026 a co‑pilot on Fly Dubai Flight 1073 attacked the captain, Smit Machchhar, during the flight. The co‑pilot, identified as an Omani man, was described as likely an Islamist terrorist. Four Israeli passengers – Dr. Shota Musayev, Assaf Rajwan, Yaniv Hayun and Tzvika Manes – rushed to the cockpit, overpowered the co‑pilot and restrained him.1
The aircraft subsequently made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia and the injured captain was transferred to a hospital in the United Arab Emirates for treatment.1