Flydubai pilot attack, Jet Airways fight and more: 5 unusual cockpit incidents

Here are some bizarre incidents inside aircraft cockpits that have caused trouble for pilots.

The Flydubai incident, in which one of the pilots allegedly attempted to crash a Tel Aviv-bound plane, has rocked the globe. According to flight data, Flight FZ 1073 plunged to 17,400 feet within two minutes as a scuffle broke out inside the cockpit. One of the pilots, believed to be an Omani national, tried to take control of the aircraft and stabbed the co-pilot, an Indian national.

The Indian pilot, identified as Captain Smit Machchhar, “managed to prevent a 9/11 disaster,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told CNN.

As investigators probe the motive behind the pilot's alleged actions, here are some bizarre incidents inside aircraft cockpits that have caused trouble for pilots.

Quick answers to key questions

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QUESTIONS

The exact motive behind the Flydubai incident remains unclear, with investigators looking into various scenarios, including terrorism and mental disorders.

Captain Smit Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door despite being injured, allowing passengers and crew members to enter and restrain the attacker.

Passengers intervened during the incident by overpowering the attacker after Captain Machchhar opened the cockpit door, using zip ties and multimedia headphones to restrain him.

The aircraft dropped from 33,000 feet to approximately 17,000 feet in a rapid descent of about two minutes during the altercation in the cockpit.

The UAE's investigation will examine the circumstances surrounding the attack, including the legal jurisdiction over crimes committed on a UAE-registered aircraft, even if occurring outside the country's territory.

In 2018, two pilots of Jet Airways were grounded for allowing a female friend to enter the cockpit of a Goa-Mumbai flight. She reportedly remained in the cockpit until the flight landed in Mumbai.

Kuwait pilot penalised for letting former porn star visit cockpit

In 2013, a Kuwait Airways pilot was penalised for allegedly allowing a former porn star to visit the cockpit.

According to The Washington Post, former porn star Chloe Mafia claimed that a married pilot operating a Kuwait Airways flight from London to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport invited her and a friend into the cockpit.

According to Mafia, the pilot offered them champagne, allowed one of them to sit on his lap while he smoked, and allegedly let them handle some of the aircraft's controls during the flight.

Jet Airways male commander ‘slaps’ female co-pilot

In 2018, two senior Jet Airways pilots were suspended after an argument between them escalated, with the male commander allegedly slapping his female co-pilot on a London-Mumbai flight, according to news agency ANI.

The incident unfolded over Iran-Pakistan airspace, around 2.45 hours from Mumbai.

SpiceJet takes two pilots off roster over beverage cup in cockpit

In 2023, two SpiceJet pilots were taken off the roster after a photograph showing a cup of beverage kept on the cockpit's centre console during a flight was shared on social media and drew widespread criticism.

One of the pilots was also seen holding a ‘gujiya’ (a sweet dish), while another piece of ‘gujiya’ was kept near the cup.

2013: Air India pilot unable to get back into cockpit

An Air India flight was diverted in 2013 after its commander was locked out of the cockpit when the door malfunctioned following a brief toilet break.

According to the BBC's report on the incident, Flight AI 403 was flying from Delhi to Bengaluru when the cockpit door became jammed. The co-pilot reportedly attempted to open it from inside the cockpit but was unable to do so.

"The commander of the flight had left the cockpit for a short while to visit the toilet, and on returning to the cockpit found the door locked. The door had jammed, and all efforts to open the door, even from inside by the co-pilot, failed," Air India said in a statement at the time.

About the Author

Kanishka Singharia is a Senior Content Producer at Mint with a passion for news, trends, and the stories shaping the digital world. She specialises in spotting viral narratives by constantly tracking social media platforms and turning them into engaging, reader-friendly stories. Her work ranges from fast-paced breaking updates to sensitive human-interest features, blending speed with clarity. <br><br> With over four years of experience in news and trend reporting, Kanishka has worked with leading organisations such as Hindustan Times and Times Now. She moves seamlessly between profiling business leaders and telling the stories of everyday people, covering national developments just as effortlessly as the memes and conversations that dominate online culture. <br><br> She also reports on real estate developments and civic challenges in major urban hubs like Bengaluru, Delhi, and Gurugram. Her coverage frequently explores the struggles of startup founders, inspiring journeys of CEOs, and the experiences of candidates dealing with the complexities of visa processes. <br><br> Kanishka holds an undergraduate degree in Journalism from Delhi University and a diploma from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication. Rarely offline, she spends much of her time scrolling through X, LinkedIn, Reddit, Instagram, and Facebook in search of the next big story. When she finally logs off, she enjoys binge-watching shows and exploring cafes in pursuit of good food and better conversations.