The short version
- A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after one pilot stabbed another and attempted to disable the aircraft's controls.
- Passengers and off-duty crew members overpowered the attacker, allowing the wounded pilot to open the cockpit door and enabling a safe diversion to Tabuk airport.
- Israeli leaders are treating the event as a possible terrorist act targeting the Abraham Accords, though the specific motive remains unconfirmed by investigators.
A commercial flight traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv was forced to make an emergency landing in northwestern Saudi Arabia after a violent altercation between pilots threatened to crash the aircraft. The incident occurred on Flydubai flight FZ1073, which departed Dubai International Airport early Wednesday morning with more than 170 people on board. Approximately two and a half hours into the journey, the plane began a rapid descent over Saudi airspace, dropping more than 17,000 feet in less than two minutes before signaling emergency codes indicating a general distress situation and a potential hijacking.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that one pilot stabbed his colleague and appeared to attempt crashing the plane. The victim, identified as Indian national Captain Smit Machchhar, was seriously injured but managed to fight back and open the cockpit door before losing consciousness or being overpowered. This action allowed passengers and crew members to enter the flight deck and subdue the attacker. Netanyahu praised Machchhar as a hero whose bravery prevented a catastrophic disaster, noting that he saved the lives of all 174 individuals on board.
Eyewitness accounts describe chaotic scenes inside the cabin as the plane dived. Passenger Yaniv Hayoun recounted hearing screams and feeling intense pressure changes before helping to force entry into the cockpit. He described grappling with the attacker, who was attempting to destroy the instrument panel to disable the aircraft. Hayoun said he placed the suspect in a chokehold and dragged him away from the controls while other passengers assisted. Another passenger, Miryam Shira Ohayon, characterized the event as an attempted suicide attack that nearly resulted in a crash.
The successful intervention relied heavily on the presence of off-duty crew members traveling on the flight. According to passenger Almog Itali, two relief pilots, one of whom was British, entered the cockpit and stabilized the aircraft’s descent. These crew members took control of the yoke and guided the plane safely to Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia. The airline confirmed that on-duty Flydubai crew traveling as passengers secured the flight and executed the diversion, prioritizing the safety and well-being of everyone involved.
Israeli authorities are treating the incident with high security concern, with officials investigating it as a potential terrorist act. Defense Minister Israel Katz described the event as an attempted jihadist terror attack, while the foreign ministry briefed diplomats that it targeted Israelis, the United Arab Emirates, and the Abraham Accords normalization deal. However, Prime Minister Netanyahu did not explicitly confirm a motive in his initial statements, noting only that Israeli security forces are maintaining close contact with relevant authorities to ensure passenger safety.
The identity and nationality of the attacker remain partially unclear in public reporting, though Israeli officials speaking anonymously indicated he may be an Omani national. The suspect is currently being questioned by Saudi Arabian authorities at Tabuk airport. Netanyahu mentioned that Israel would likely contribute to the investigation and that the attacker might eventually be transferred to the UAE, where the flight originated. No official statement has been released by Oman or the UAE regarding the suspect’s background or potential motives.
US President Donald Trump spoke with Netanyahu following the incident but expressed uncertainty about the attacker’s intentions. Trump suggested the individual could have been a terrorist or simply unstable, highlighting the ambiguity surrounding the case. While Israeli officials lean toward a terror-related explanation, the lack of a clear motive and the conflicting descriptions from various political figures underscore the ongoing nature of the inquiry.
The passengers were repatriated to Israel on Wednesday evening, arriving in Tel Aviv eight hours after the emergency landing. They were greeted by crowds waving flags and playing music, with many describing emotional reactions upon disembarking. A paramedic noted that several travelers were crying as they exited the replacement aircraft. The incident has raised questions about cockpit security protocols and the potential for insider threats on flights connecting the Middle East region.
Investigations are now underway involving multiple jurisdictions, including Saudi Arabia, Israel, and potentially the UAE. Israeli transport and defense ministries have announced a joint probe into the circumstances surrounding the stabbing and the attempted crash. As details emerge, the focus remains on understanding how the attacker gained access to the cockpit and what drove him to attempt such a violent act against his colleague and the passengers.
The safe landing of the aircraft stands as a testament to the quick actions of both the wounded pilot and the intervening passengers. Captain Machchhar has been hospitalized in stable condition, according to the Indian embassy in Saudi Arabia. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities inherent in aviation security and the critical role that crew and passenger vigilance can play in preventing disasters.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC World↗'Hero' pilot stabbed by other pilot on Israel-bound plane, Israeli PM says
- The Guardian World↗Pilot who stabbed co-pilot on Israel-bound plane may have tried to crash it, says Netanyahu
