On September 30, 2026, an Omani co‑pilot aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073 allegedly stabbed Indian Captain Smit Machchhar and attempted to hijack the aircraft. The flight, en route from Dubai to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, carried 174 passengers and six crew members. Passengers and crew overpowered the co‑pilot, preventing the hijack bid from succeeding.
The aircraft made an emergency landing at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Airport in Tabuk at 10.45 am Gulf Standard Time. The landing was carried out safely after the co‑pilot was subdued.
NIA Registers FIR Over Alleged Flydubai Hijack Bid After Co-Pilot Stabs Smit Machchhar https://t.co/f3MQfmfV1R
Following the landing, Saudi authorities arrested the Omani co‑pilot. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) was directed by the Centre to investigate the incident, as stated by the agency: "The Centre directed the agency to investigate the incident."
Captain Smit Machchhar underwent surgery and was reported to be responding well to treatment at a hospital in Abu Dhabi.
The NIA registered a first information report (FIR) invoking Section 3 of the Anti‑Hijacking Act, 2016 and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA).
🚨 BIG UPDATE: NIA registers an FIR in the Captain Smit Machchhar case over the alleged mid-air attack on FlyDubai Flight 1073. The investigation will probe the alleged stabbing, suspected hijack attempt and possible wider conspiracy. 🇮🇳 Salute to Captain Smit and the crew for helping avert a potential tragedy. The truth must come out!
Captain Smit Machchhar underwent surgery and was reported to be responding well to treatment at a hospital in Abu Dhabi. This update was shared by MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, who said, "Captain Machchhar was responding well to treatment following an operation at a hospital in Abu Dhabi."
A press conference was held, and the statement was recorded as "press_conference". The Omani co‑pilot was characterised as critical, while Saudi authorities, the Centre, the NIA, and Captain Smit Machchhar were each described as supportive.
🚨 BIG UPDATE: NIA OFFICIALLY REGISTERS FIR IN CAPTAIN SMIT MACHCHHAR CASE The National Investigation Agency has registered FIR No. RC-34/2026/NIA/DLI in connection with the alleged mid-air attack on Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar aboard FlyDubai Flight 1073 on September 30. The case invokes Section 3 of the Anti-Hijacking Act, 2016, along with Sections 15(1)(a) and 16 of the UAPA. According to the FIR, the Omani first officer allegedly stabbed Captain Smit during an apparent attempt to hijack the aircraft or cause it to crash. Captain Smit suffered deep cuts to his head and hands, while other pilots eventually landed the aircraft safely in Saudi Arabia. The NIA investigation will examine the circumstances of the incident and the possibility of a larger conspiracy. This is now an official NIA investigation not merely a social media claim. The allegations must be thoroughly investigated, and the facts established through evidence. Salute to Captain Smit Machchhar and the crew members whose actions helped avert a potential tragedy. 🇮🇳