NIA Registers FIR Into Mid-Air Attack on Indian Pilot, Probes 'Larger Conspiracy'

The information points to alleged offences against Machchhar, an Indian national, under the Anti-Hijacking Act, 2016, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

By Sakshi

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has registered a First Information Report (FIR) into the mid-air attack on Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar aboard flydubai flight 1073, with the Centre directing the agency to investigate whether there was a larger conspiracy behind the incident.

Machchhar was serving as co-pilot on the Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight alongside an Omani first officer, who allegedly attacked him mid-air on September 30.

Citing the incident's serious national and international implications, the Centre invoked the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008, to initiate the investigation.

According to the FIR, the aircraft, piloted by Machchhar and the Omani first officer, departed Dubai at 7.05 am Gulf Standard Time (GST) on September 30, 2026, carrying 174 passengers and six crew members.

"The Central government has received information that flydubai flight no 1073, which was being piloted by Indian national pilot Captain Smit Machchhar and an Omani first officer, departed from Dubai on September 30, 2026 at 7.05 am (GST) with 174 passengers and six crew members and dived rapidly and turned back into Saudi airspace while flying near the Jordan-Saudi Arabia border at around 9.21 am (GST)," the FIR stated.

Machchhar was serving as co-pilot on the Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight alongside an Omani first officer . (Image from Linkedin)

According to passenger accounts cited in the FIR, the first officer allegedly attempted to hijack or crash the aircraft by stabbing Machchhar during the flight. Passengers and crew members subsequently overpowered and detained the accused.

Other flydubai pilots on board later landed the aircraft safely at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Airport in Tabuk, north-western Saudi Arabia, at 10.45 am. Saudi authorities arrested the first officer following the landing, the complaint stated.

NIA Acts on the Offences

According to the FIR, the information points to alleged offences against Machchhar, an Indian national, under the Anti-Hijacking Act, 2016, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. Both are listed offences under the NIA Act.

"The registration of the first information report marks the formal launch of the federal agency's investigation into the September 30 incident, which will examine whether the first officer of the aircraft acted alone or as part of some module," an official said.

The Centre said a thorough NIA investigation was necessary given the gravity of the alleged crime, its national and international ramifications, and the need to determine whether a larger conspiracy was involved.