Claim: An Omani pilot stabbed an Emirati pilot mid-flight in an attempt to crash the plane who later collapsed from a neck wound.
Conclusion: The claim is false. A real cockpit assault occurred on Flydubai flight FZ1073 (Dubai–Tel Aviv) on 30 September 2026, in which an Omani co-pilot stabbed the captain. However, the captain was an Indian national Smit Machchhar (not Emirati) and the plane diverted safely to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia after help by an Israeli passenger and the crew.
Rating: False 
Several social media users have claimed that an Omani pilot stabbed an Emirati pilot during a mid-flight attempt to crash a plane. Verified X user ‘hodannat55’ shared such a post (translated into English), claiming to show how the moment the “Omani pilot’s attack on the Emirati pilot and his attempt to shoot down the plane…” The post also claims that the “Emirati pilot emerged asking for help, wounded in his neck…” and then later “collapsed unconscious due to a stab wound…”
Attached to the post is a 1 minute 31 second video which allegedly captures the moment of chaos. Apart from the above claims, the post has also accused the Iranian regime (planner), Qatari regime (funder/encourager of hatred via media) and Omani regime (secret Iran ally), with a threat of future action against them. View the post below –
لحظة هجوم الطيار العماني على الطيار الاماراتي ومحاولته اسقاط الطائرة …
خرج الطيار الاماراتي يطلب العون وهو مصاب في عنقه ….
هرع عدد من الرجال ودخلوا مقصورة القيادة وسيطروا على الطيار العماني وسيطروا على الطائرة
بعدها سقط الطيار الاماراتي مغمى عليه بسبب طعنة في العنق نزف الكثير… pic.twitter.com/9mXzhh8yRm— hodannat (@hodannat55) September 30, 2026
FACT CHECK
DigitEYE India decided to investigate this claim and found it to be false. A real cockpit attack took place aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, on 30 September 2026. An Omani co-pilot reportedly stabbed the captain, but the captain was Indian national Smit Machchhar, not an Emirati citizen. The aircraft was subsequently diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely following assistance from an Israeli passenger and members of the crew.
Details:
We first conducted a reverse image search on the footage attached in the claim to learn more. Several social media users have shared the same footage on Instagram and Hindustan Times has shared it on Facebook, linking it to the actual incident. Following this, we conducted a web search to verify the claim about the captain being an Emirati.
According to a BBC report, Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia after one pilot allegedly stabbed the other and “apparently tried to crash the plane.” The flight carrying more than 170 people, rapidly descended more than 17,000 feet before declaring an emergency and later an unlawful-interference alert.
The injured Indian pilot, Capt Smit Machchhar, managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to enter and overpower the attacker. The report also notes that an Israeli passenger named Yaniv Hayun “ steadied the aircraft’s controls” and was later greeted by Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu. There is no mention of the co-pilot being an Emirati rather it was an Indian pilot, Captain Smit Machchhar. View a section of the report below –
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also congratulated Captain Smit Machchaar in multiple X posts. In one video address, he clearly states at 0:18 that India’s Captain Smit saved the passengers despite the danger. He further wrote that “140 crore Indians salute Captain Smit and are praying for his well-being.”
Captain Smit Machchhar has shown the world the highest form of courage.
Without fearing for his own life, he fought valiantly and prevented another 9/11 like attack from happening.
140 crore Indians salute Captain Smit and are praying for his well-being. pic.twitter.com/YGTA9CFCAg
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 1, 2026
On October 3, 2026, PM Modi spoke to Captain Smit Machchaar who is recovering from active injuries.
An unforgettable conversation with Captain Smit, filled with pride and emotions. pic.twitter.com/CCf46PKOWR
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 2, 2026
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu also congratulated Captain Smit Machchaar and clearly stated his nationality. Netanyahu in a X post expressed his “salute to the Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his extraordinary bravery.” He praised his courage despite “being stabbed and seriously injured”, eventually saving all the passengers.
My salute to the Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his extraordinary bravery.
Despite being stabbed and seriously injured, he fought back, resisted, opened the cockpit door, and enabled passengers and crew to overpower the attacker — preventing a catastrophic mid-air…
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) September 30, 2026
Thus, the claim is false.
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