Why did flydubai flight FZ1073 have two extra pilots on board?

Why did flydubai flight FZ1073 have two extra pilots on board?

Key points

• 5 min read New Delhi Oct 3, 2026 05: 20 PM IST.
• The two extra pilots took over and assisted land the plane safely at 06: 45 UTC in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
• Injured Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, alerting passengers who rushed in and supported subdue his attacker.
• Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, bleeding from axe injuries, managed to open the cockpit door, alerting passengers who rushed in and supported subdue his attacker.

Why did flydubai flight FZ1073 have two extra pilots on board? Pilots routinely travel as passengers in the cabin while being 'repositioned' for their next route ahead of their impending work assignment, in a practice called 'deadheading'. We explain.

Injured Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, alerting passengers who rushed in and supported subdue his attacker. (ANI, AP).

When the Omani co-pilot of the flydubai flight to Tel Aviv allegedly attempted to crash the aircraft on September 30, a chain of events proved crucial in landing the aircraft safely. Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, bleeding from axe injuries, managed to open the cockpit door, alerting passengers who rushed in and supported subdue his attacker.

But none of this would have saved the aircraft had it not been for the fortuitous presence of two other pilots on board.

Meanwhile, the two extra pilots took over and assisted land the plane safely at 06: 45 UTC in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The FZ1073 passengers were afterwards transported to Tel Aviv aboard a flydubai rescue flight at 15: 34 UTC the same day.

In short, why did flydubai flight FZ1073 have two extra pilots on board? Is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.