A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia after one pilot allegedly stabbed the other in the cockpit in an apparent attempt to crash the aircraft, according to Israeli officials. The wounded pilot, Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian national from Mumbai, has been widely praised for fighting back and helping passengers and crew overpower the attacker.
Flight FZ 1073 was scheduled to land in Tel Aviv when the incident took place. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Machchhar, despite being seriously injured, “managed to prevent a 9/11 disaster.” Flydubai said it has launched an investigation.
Flight tracking data cited in reports said the aircraft plunged sharply during the struggle — at one point dropping 17,400 feet in less than two minutes, according to one account, while other details described a plunge of nearly 14,000 feet in under 30 seconds. The plane was diverted to Tabuk airport in northern Saudi Arabia. Passengers later returned safely to Israel, and 174 people were reported to have been on board.
Accounts from Israeli officials and passengers describe a chaotic and desperate struggle inside the cockpit. Machchhar, though badly wounded, reportedly managed to open the cockpit door, allowing crew members and passengers to enter and subdue the attacker. Israeli officials identified the alleged attacker as the other pilot, reportedly an Omani national.
Passenger Yaniv Hayoun, described by Netanyahu as a plumber, said Machchhar’s position made the rescue difficult. “What made it difficult for us was [Machchhar] himself,” Hayoun said, explaining that the captain had been stabbed and was on the other side of the door. Hayoun said he grabbed the controls and pulled back the yoke, as he had seen on television, before other crew members took over.
Dr Shota Musaev, a dentist who also rushed to the cockpit, told CNN that they found the attacker on the floor on top of the pilot, stabbing him. Musaev said Machchhar was covered in cuts, had lost a great deal of blood and lost consciousness. “I think that if we had waited even a few more moments, we would have lost him,” he said. Musaev added that he helped tie up the attacker with headphone cords and plastic zip-ties.
A passenger, Almog Itali, said off-duty relief pilots were on board and helped stabilize the aircraft. According to Itali, one of the relief pilots was British and entered the cockpit, pulled up the aircraft, stabilized it and landed in Saudi Arabia. Other reports suggested the off-duty pilots were from South Africa or New Zealand. It remained unclear who ultimately landed the plane.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Machchhar on X. “Captain Smit Machchhar is a HERO,” Modi wrote. “In the face of the gravest danger and despite being seriously injured, he showed immense courage and an unwavering resolve to protect the lives of others.” He added, “India is proud of Captain Machchhar.”
Indian officials said Machchhar underwent surgery in Saudi Arabia and was in stable condition. They said they had been in touch with his wife and two children, aged seven and two.