Flydubai pilot recounts experience during co-pilot's attack
The Hill · October 2, 2026Original source ↗

What happened
The pilot of a Flydubai aircraft, Capt. Smit Machchhar, reported that he was attacked by his co-pilot in an attempt to crash the plane. In a video call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he described his efforts to protect the 182 people on board.
Why it matters
This incident raises concerns about safety protocols and mental health support in aviation.
How this story affects people
How does this story affect you if you are a passenger on a commercial flight?
This incident raises serious concerns about the safety protocols in place on flights, particularly regarding the mental health of crew members. It may lead to increased scrutiny and potential changes in regulations to ensure the safety of passengers during flights.
How does this story affect you if you work in the aviation industry?
The attack highlights the urgent need for improved mental health support and training for pilots and crew members. This could lead to new policies and practices aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future, impacting job responsibilities and workplace culture.
Read a briefing based on your profile
The breakdown above is the shared version, for kinds of people. In the app, Ripple uses your job, your city, and your family, then writes that part about you.
Download on the App Store3 free Ripples in total. Read without an account. iPhone · iOS 26.0+ · United States