Questions Mount Over How Flydubai Co-Pilot Was Cleared to Fly

A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after an alleged violent altercation between the captain and co-pilot in the cockpit, raising questions about pilot screening and aviation security.

According to Israeli officials, the pilots reportedly fought about two and a half hours after takeoff, causing the aircraft to rapidly descend from about 33,000 feet to 17,000 feet within a minute. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said one pilot stabbed the other and allegedly attempted to crash the aircraft.

The captain, Indian national Smit Machchhar, was reportedly injured but managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to enter and overpower the alleged attacker. The aircraft later landed safely in Tabuk, where both pilots received medical treatment.

The alleged attacker was taken into custody by Saudi authorities but had not been formally charged at the time of the report. His citizenship, flying experience and qualifications have not been officially disclosed.

The United Arab Emirates has launched an investigation to establish what happened, the circumstances and motives involved, and whether the incident had any connection to terrorist activity or prior planning. Authorities have urged people to avoid speculation while investigations continue.

How was the co-pilot cleared to fly?

Flydubai operates under the regulatory oversight of the UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). European Union Aviation Safety Agency officials said the GCAA is responsible for ensuring the airline complies with requirements concerning its flight crews and their fitness to fly.

The UAE's regulatory framework requires commercial pilots to hold a valid professional licence, the appropriate aircraft type rating, a current Class 1 medical certificate, English-language proficiency and the required flying experience.

The Class 1 medical assessment covers physical and mental health. Pilots with certain psychiatric conditions or substance-related concerns may be referred for further evaluation before being declared fit to fly.

Aviation analyst Saj Ahmad said pilot screening includes security, financial and mental-health checks, but such assessments represent only a snapshot of an individual's condition and may not reveal problems that emerge later.

What is known about the captain?

Machchhar has been praised by Israeli and Indian leaders for his actions during the incident. He previously worked for Indian airline SpiceJet for more than a decade before joining Flydubai in 2022.

He reportedly has nearly 9,750 flying hours accumulated over about 15 years and is currently recovering in a hospital in Tabuk.

Cockpit violence is rare

Experts say deliberate violence inside an aircraft's flight deck is uncommon. Previous incidents have included Japan Airlines Flight 350 in 1982, Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 1771 in 1987, FedEx Flight 705 in 1994 and Germanwings Flight 9525 in 2015.

The Flydubai incident has nevertheless renewed debate over how airlines and aviation authorities can identify potential security risks among pilots and prevent violence from threatening passengers during flight.

• Tweet
• Share
• Share
• Share
• Share