UN alarmed after Indian pilot foils alleged flydubai crash bid

An Indian captain was seriously injured while stopping an alleged cockpit attack on a flydubai flight to Tel Aviv. The intervention prevented a possible disaster and triggered international concern and multiple investigations.Image used for representational purposes onlyUnitednations,Oct 2, 2026 09:50 ISTUN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed deep concern over a serious incident aboard a flydubai flight in which an Indian pilot was badly injured while foiling an alleged attempt by his co-pilot to crash the aircraft.The Dubai to Tel Aviv flight, carrying 174 people, including 27 children, made an emergency landing at Tabuk in north-west Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after an altercation in the cockpit. According to officials, the pilot was stabbed during the incident, but tragedy was averted and all passengers were kept safe.In a statement issued by his spokesman Stephane Dujarric, Guterres was described as being deeply concerned by the incident involving the Tel Aviv-bound flight and relieved that a disaster had been avoided. The statement said Guterres strongly condemns any act that puts civilian lives and the safety of civil aviation at risk. It added that the UN chief is grateful to all the authorities concerned for ensuring the safety of all passengers and for conducting their investigation. “We will continue to monitor all developments related to this incident,” the statement said.Israeli officials identified the co-pilot as an Omani national. They said he stabbed Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar and sent the jet plunging nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds. Machchhar, despite suffering serious injuries, fought off the co-pilot, who was arrested after the aircraft landed. The UAE said on Thursday that it has opened an investigation and is “closely following” the incident. India also said it is keeping a close tab on Machchhar’s health. After receiving initial medical treatment at a hospital in Tabuk, he was shifted to Abu Dhabi for continued medical care and recovery.The incident on the flydubai flight has drawn concern from the UN and prompted investigations by the UAE, while India continues to monitor the condition of Captain Machchhar, whose actions helped prevent a major tragedy. With PTI Inputs- Ends