Why Did Flydubai Flight FZ1073 Have Two Extra Pilots On Board During Cockpit Attack?

Last Updated:October 03, 2026, 21:42 IST

The presence of two additional pilots on the flydubai flight proved crucial when the aircraft faced a mid-air emergency on Wednesday.

The Flydubai cockpit incident caused the plane to plunge thousands of feet within seconds. (Image: News18 Media Gallery)

The Flydubai flight FZ1073, which experienced a mid-air emergency after the Omani co-pilot stabbed Captain Smit Machchhar, luckily had two additional pilots on board the plane who managed the situation before the emergency landing.

Machchhar, who was injured while foiling the co-pilot’s bid to crash the plane, managed to open the cockpit door before collapsing, allowing passengers and crew to intervene. The co-pilot was restrained, while the two off-duty pilots travelling in the cabin subsequently took control and helped land the aircraft safely in Saudi Arabia’s Tabuk. All the passengers were unharmed.

The incident has also highlighted the aviation practice of “deadheading”, in which pilots travel as passengers while being repositioned for a subsequent assignment. Such pilots are not operating the flight on which they are travelling but remain part of an airline’s crew logistics.

Why Were Extra Pilots Present On FZ1073?

The additional pilots were reportedly on board because of the possibility of route changes amid regional tensions. A longer or diverted flight could have pushed the original crew closer to their permitted flight-duty limits, The India Express reported.

Flight-duty regulations are designed to prevent pilot fatigue by limiting the amount of time crew members can remain on duty. India’s DGCA rules, for instance, specifically state that time spent positioning at an operator’s behest counts as duty. If positioning immediately precedes a flight duty period without an intervening rest period, it forms part of the FDP.

This becomes particularly important on long or disrupted routes. Delays, holding patterns and rerouting can extend the overall duty period even when the aircraft is not continuously flying.

In FZ1073’s case, the extra pilots provided an additional layer of operational capability when the two pilots assigned to the cockpit were no longer able to safely continue the flight. Their presence allowed the aircraft to be brought safely to the ground after the emergency.

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Why were there extra pilots on board Flydubai flight FZ1073 during the cockpit attack?

The additional pilots were on board due to the possibility of route changes or diversions caused by regional tensions, which could have pushed the original crew past their permitted flight-duty limits.

What is the aviation practice of deadheading mentioned in the flight incident?

Deadheading is an aviation practice where pilots travel as passengers to be repositioned for a subsequent assignment. Although they are not operating the current flight, they remain part of the airline’s crew logistics.

How did the extra pilots assist during the emergency landing of Flydubai flight FZ1073?

After passengers and crew restrained the co-pilot who attacked Captain Smit Machchhar, the two off-duty pilots stepped in from the cabin to take control. They helped land the aircraft safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, ensuring all passengers remained unharmed.

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Manisha RoySenior Sub-Editor

Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, with over 7 years of experience in journalism. She covers politics and a wide range of hard news, with a keen interest in national and international d…Read More

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