New Delhi: A pilot of a Tel Aviv-bound flydubai flight stabbed the captain and attempted to interfere with the aircraft’s controls on Wednesday, sending the aircraft into a rapid descent before it diverted to Saudi Arabia, Israeli officials said. Flydubai has described the incident as an “altercation” and is investigating the matter.
The pilot, Indian national Smit Machchhar, was seriously injured in the attack and is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Saudi. He reportedly opened the cockpit door before he collapsed, letting passengers in to subdue the pilot and take control of the plane.
It was an extreme case of something aviation has seen before. Pilots have fought in the cockpit on several occasions, with some happening before take-off and some getting fired.
Since 2015, there have been three such incidents.
Air France, 2022
In June 2022, two Air France pilots were involved in a physical altercation shortly after take-off on a flight from Geneva to Paris.
The pilots reportedly argued during the climb before grabbing each other by their collars and exchanging blows. Cabin crew heard the commotion and intervened. One crew member remained in the cockpit for the rest of the flight.
The Airbus A320 landed safely in Paris. Air France confirmed that the two pilots had been suspended.
French authorities later investigated the incident as part of wider scrutiny of safety practices at the airline. Media reports differed on exactly how the fight began. One account said a clipboard was thrown during the altercation.
Jet Airways, 2018
On 1 January 2018, a Jet Airways Boeing 777 flying from London to Mumbai was involved in a cockpit confrontation between its two pilots. The aircraft was carrying 324 passengers and 14 crew members.
The pilots reportedly began arguing while the aircraft was flying over the Iran-Pakistan region. The male pilot was accused of slapping the female co-pilot, who reportedly left the cockpit in tears.
Cabin crew persuaded her to return, according to reports. The male pilot was also reported to have left the cockpit briefly to bring her back. They were reportedly in a relationship.
The aircraft continued to Mumbai and landed safely.
Jet Airways initially described the episode as a “misunderstanding”. Both pilots were subsequently removed from flying duties while the incident was investigated, and the aviation regulator also took action against the male pilot.
The airline later fired them both.
Air India, 2015
In April 2015, two Air India pilots had a physical confrontation before an Airbus A320 was due to fly from Jaipur to Delhi.
The dispute reportedly began over routine pre-flight procedures. The captain had asked the co-pilot to record information including the passenger load, take-off weight and fuel. The disagreement escalated into a physical confrontation, according to reports.
The airline initially denied any violence took place, saying there was only an argument. Air India eventually removed both pilots from flying duties pending an inquiry.
The captain eventually recorded the incident in the aircraft’s log after the flight reached Delhi, reports said.