United Arab Emirates Presidential Adviser Anwar Gargash has described the cockpit attack aboard a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv as a “dangerous terrorist act,” and praised Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his role in preventing a potentially catastrophic outcome.
Gargash said Machchhar “deserves every bit of appreciation” for demonstrating courage and responsibility after he was allegedly attacked by his co-pilot during Flydubai Flight FZ1073 on Wednesday.
“His professionalism and moral sense in the darkest of circumstances make him a true hero,” Gargash posted on X. He also cautioned against speculation, saying that “vigilance and caution remain essential in confronting the risks of extremism and terrorism.”
The flight, carrying 174 people, including 27 children, was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when the incident occurred. According to reports, the co-pilot allegedly attacked Machchhar with a knife inside the cockpit, causing the aircraft to plunge nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds.
Other crew members and passengers reportedly intervened and overpowered the attacker, restoring the control of the aircraft. The plane was subsequently diverted to Saudi Arabia and landed safely in Tabuk.
The co-pilot, identified by Israeli officials as an Omani national, was arrested after the landing.
Gargash also hit out at conspiracy theories surrounding the incident, pointing to the volume of data recorded by modern aircraft. “Modern aircraft are not merely traditional control devices, but fully digital environments of surveillance and documentation,” he said, referring to cockpit systems, cameras and flight-data and cockpit-voice recorders.
The UAE Attorney-General has ordered an investigation into the incident, including whether it was connected to terrorism. Authorities in Saudi Arabia and Israel are also examining the episode, with the United States and Oman reportedly assisting.
The incident has also renewed questions about the screening and monitoring of flight crews. Former Israeli national security adviser Eyal Hulata said aviation security could place greater emphasis on threats “originating within an aircraft.”
Investigators are expected to examine how the alleged weapon reached the cockpit, whether any warning signs concerning the co-pilot had previously emerged, and how emergency communications and requests for a landing were handled subsequently.
