1 October 2026 (Navroze Bureau) US President Donald Trump has described the co-pilot involved in the mid-air attack aboard a Flydubai flight as potentially a “terrorist” or a “whack job”, while praising Indian Captain Smit Machchhar for his actions during the emergency.
Trump said he had spoken at length with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the incident aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when the confrontation took place in the cockpit.
According to Trump, the co-pilot allegedly attacked Captain Machchhar during the flight. The aircraft subsequently experienced a sharp descent before passengers and crew intervened. The plane eventually made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Trump said the co-pilot could have been motivated by terrorism or could have been acting irrationally, while stressing that the circumstances were still being investigated. Authorities have not yet established a definitive motive for the attack.
The US president praised Captain Machchhar for opening the cockpit door despite being seriously injured. He described the Indian pilot as a hero and highlighted the role played by passengers in helping subdue the attacker.
The incident unfolded after the aircraft had been flying at cruising altitude. Reports said the plane suddenly descended thousands of feet during the confrontation, creating a dangerous situation for the 174 people aboard.
Captain Machchhar was reportedly stabbed by his co-pilot but managed to open the cockpit door. This allowed passengers to enter the flight deck and intervene. One of the passengers, Israeli national Yaniv Hayoun, reportedly helped restrain the attacker.
Other passengers and crew members also assisted in bringing the situation under control. The aircraft was eventually diverted to Saudi Arabia, where Captain Machchhar was taken to hospital for treatment.
The captain’s condition was reported to be stable after the incident. Indian diplomatic officials have been monitoring his recovery and have praised his conduct during the emergency.
Trump also highlighted the actions of the passengers who entered the cockpit during the crisis. He specifically referred to an Israeli passenger who reportedly helped wrestle the attacker away from the controls.
The aircraft’s rapid descent had caused serious concern because of the potential consequences of losing control at cruising altitude. Passengers described a chaotic situation before the cockpit was secured.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also praised the passengers and crew members who intervened. He described their actions as courageous and credited them with helping prevent a potentially catastrophic outcome.
The incident has attracted international attention because it involved an apparent attack inside the cockpit of a passenger aircraft. The motive behind the confrontation remains under investigation.
Trump acknowledged that some details he had received about the incident could not be independently confirmed. He said Netanyahu had briefed him about what happened and shared an account involving the passenger who helped regain control of the aircraft.
According to the account Trump received, the passenger had no professional flying experience but intervened when he realised that something was seriously wrong inside the cockpit.
The Flydubai flight eventually landed safely in Tabuk. Passengers were later transported onward to Israel on another aircraft.
Flydubai has said that the circumstances surrounding the incident and the motive behind the confrontation remain subject to investigation. The airline has also announced the temporary suspension of flights to and from Israel while authorities examine the incident.
Captain Machchhar has received praise from Indian and Israeli officials following the emergency. Indian officials have described his response as an example of courage and professional commitment under extremely difficult circumstances.
The Indian pilot has more than a decade of commercial aviation experience and has previously worked with an Indian airline before joining Flydubai. Reports said he has extensive experience flying Boeing 737 aircraft.
The incident has also prompted renewed attention to aviation security and cockpit safety procedures. Investigators will examine how the confrontation began, how the cockpit door was opened and how passengers and crew members managed to regain control of the aircraft.
For now, the precise motive of the co-pilot remains unclear. Trump’s description of the attacker as potentially a terrorist or an individual acting irrationally reflects possibilities rather than an established finding by investigators.
As the investigation continues, authorities in Saudi Arabia and other countries involved are expected to examine the evidence and interview those connected with the incident.
The safe landing of the aircraft brought an end to a highly dangerous situation, while Captain Machchhar’s condition continues to be monitored. The incident has also drawn international recognition for the actions of the captain, passengers and crew members who helped prevent further danger.