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A dramatic mid-air incident aboard a Flydubai passenger jet travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv ended safely in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after a pilot was stabbed by his fellow pilot and, according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the attacker apparently attempted to bring the aircraft down.
The flight, carrying more than 170 people, was diverted to Tabuk Airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely after passengers and crew members intervened to restrain the attacker and regain control of the cockpit.
Netanyahu identified the wounded pilot as Indian national Captain Smit Machchhar, describing him as a "true hero" whose actions prevented what could have been a catastrophic aviation disaster. The prime minister said Machchhar, despite being stabbed and seriously injured, fought back, managed to open the cockpit door, and enabled those on board to overpower the assailant.
The injured captain was taken to hospital following the landing and is reported to be in a stable condition. The Indian embassy in Saudi Arabia confirmed his status, providing some reassurance amid the tense aftermath of the incident.
The harrowing sequence of events began when flight FZ1073 departed Dubai International Airport at 03:05 GMT, bound for Ben-Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv. Approximately two and a half hours into the journey, flight tracking data from Flightradar24 showed the aircraft entering a rapid descent over Saudi Arabian airspace, losing more than 17,000 feet in under two minutes.
Moments later, the plane transmitted an emergency squawk code 7700, signalling a general emergency. This was quickly followed by a squawk 7500 code, which specifically indicates a hijacking. The aircraft then looped back into Saudi territory, began a manual descent, and eventually landed at Tabuk. Less than an hour after the initial emergency codes were broadcast, the plane returned to the general emergency signal.
Both the Israeli and Saudi Arabian air forces dispatched fighter jets in response to the unfolding crisis, while Netanyahu convened urgent consultations with security officials. The rapid military response underscored the seriousness with which authorities on both sides treated the incident.
Initial media reports suggested that a fight had broken out between the aircraft's two pilots, leading to the sudden descent and subsequent diversion. However, eyewitness accounts and Netanyahu's statement later clarified that one pilot had stabbed the other and, according to the Israeli prime minister, apparently attempted to crash the plane.
Flydubai confirmed in a statement that "an altercation occurred in the flight deck" and that the flight was "successfully secured by on-duty Flydubai crew travelling on the flight, who diverted and landed the aircraft safely at Tabuk airport." Two off-duty crew members who happened to be travelling on the flight were able to take control and land the aircraft safely.
The airline added that its immediate priority was ensuring the ongoing safety, health, and wellbeing of all passengers and crew involved, and pledged full support for the official investigation into the incident.
No official motive has been provided for the attack. However, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz characterised the incident as an "attempted jihadist terror attack," a description that Netanyahu notably did not echo in his public remarks. The divergence in language between the two officials suggests some caution in assigning a definitive cause before investigations conclude.
US President Donald Trump said he had spoken with Netanyahu following the incident, noting that it appeared the attacker was "perhaps a terrorist" or that other reasons might lie behind the attack. His comments reflected the initial uncertainty surrounding the attacker's motivations.
One passenger, Yaniv Hayun, met Netanyahu after arriving in Israel and recounted how he and others on the flight had restrained the attacker. Netanyahu also relayed an account from an Israeli passenger who described how "the plane went into a spin and began to descend" before the passenger and a crew member broke into the cockpit and overpowered the pilot who had carried out the stabbing.
The passengers, who were almost all Israeli, arrived in Tel Aviv on Wednesday evening aboard a repatriation flight, landing at approximately 18:40 local time. They were greeted at the airport by crowds of onlookers playing music, singing, dancing, and waving Israeli flags—a scene of relief and celebration after hours of uncertainty.
A paramedic from Israel's ambulance service told the BBC that a number of people were "very emotional and crying as they came off the plane." The emotional reunions with family and friends underscored the gravity of what passengers had endured during the ordeal.
In an address on Wednesday evening, Netanyahu called the situation "a very serious security incident" and said Israeli security forces were maintaining close contact with relevant authorities to ensure the continued safety of the passengers. He saluted what he called the heroes who demonstrated extraordinary resourcefulness and courage, saying they had saved many lives and prevented a major disaster.
The incident raises significant questions about aviation security protocols, particularly regarding the vetting and mental health monitoring of flight crew members who have access to the cockpit. The fact that a pilot allegedly turned on his colleague mid-flight represents a rare and deeply troubling breach of the trust placed in commercial aviation professionals.
As investigations continue, authorities in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Israel are expected to cooperate in determining the full circumstances surrounding the attack. The safe landing at Tabuk and the survival of all on board stand as a testament to the swift and courageous actions of those who intervened in the face of extreme danger.
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