A flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was safely diverted to Saudi Arabia on September 30, 2026, after a co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain and attempted to crash the aircraft.
A flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was safely diverted to Saudi Arabia on September 30, 2026, after a co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain and attempted to crash the aircraft . [ 1 , 2 , 3 ] The Incident The Flight: flydubai Flight FZ1073 was carrying 174 people (mostly Israeli passengers) on its way to Tel Aviv. [ 1 , 2 ] The Attack: As the plane neared its destination, the first officer (identified as an Omani national) allegedly stabbed Captain Smit Machchhar in an apparent suicide attempt. [ 1 , 2 ] The Dive: The aircraft plunged nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds during the physical struggle in the cockpit. [ 1 , 2 ] Intervention: The wounded captain fought back, and passengers and crew members broke into the cockpit to subdue the co-pilot. A second pair of flydubai pilots on board helped take control and land the jet safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. [ 1 , 2 ] Aftermath and Investigation Passenger Safety: All passengers later boarded a replacement flight to ...
