From India to Australia: How 6 countries got caught up in flydubai terror
An Indian pilot, Smit Machchhar, is being hailed as a hero after thwarting an attack by his co-pilot on a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The incident has triggered a multi-national investigation involving India, the UAE, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Australia.
Why it matters
The incident highlights critical aviation security concerns and the complex international legal cooperation required for mid-air criminal investigations.
The stabbing on Indian pilot Smit Machchhar by Omani co-pilot Hammam al-Hammami on flydubai flight has now brought six countries officially into the fold. The attack on September 30 was on a flight flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv, when it was forced to make an emergency landing after the stabbing of Indian pilot by his Omani co pilot.The incident unfolded on September 30 when flydubai Flight FZ1073, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv with more than 170 people on board, went into a sharp descent after the co-pilot allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar inside the cockpit. The jet plunged nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds amid the fight.Machchhar, an Indian national, managed to open the cockpit door despite being injured, allowing passengers and crew to overpower the co-pilot.
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