InternationalThursday, 1 October 2026·The Hindu - International
UAE probes possible terror link in Flydubai incident involving Indian pilot Smit Machchhar
On 1 October 2026, the UAE said it was probing a possible terrorist link to the Flydubai incident involving Indian pilot Smit Machchhar.
Key highlights
Direct fact
On October 1, 2026, the United Arab Emirates said it had launched an investigation into a possible terrorist link to the September 30, 2026 Flydubai incident involving Indian national and pilot Smit Machchhar.
Key specifics
- The aircraft reportedly lost around 17,000 feet of altitude in about one minute, according to Flightradar24.
- Flydubai said 166 out of 174 passengers were Israeli, and all passengers were safe after the emergency landing.
- The plane diverted to Saudi Arabia’s Tabuk before another Flydubai aircraft carried passengers to Tel Aviv.
- The UAE Attorney-General ordered a special team from the Public Prosecution to investigate the circumstances and causes of the incident.
- India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Smit Machchhar as a “HERO,” while Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the passengers for averting catastrophe.
Exam lens
International affairs MCQ: UAE, Flydubai, Smit Machchhar, 17,000 feet, 166 of 174 passengers, Tabuk, Tel Aviv — ask which country launched the probe and what emergency action was taken.