Indian captain injured in cockpit attack
A flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after an alleged attack inside the cockpit left Indian Captain Smit Machchhar seriously injured. Israeli officials said the co-pilot stabbed the captain and attempted to take control of the Boeing 737 MAX 8, triggering a struggle that put passengers and crew in danger.
Flight FZ1073 was carrying more than 170 Israeli passengers. According to Flightradar24 data cited by Reuters, the aircraft descended nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds before the first emergency signal was transmitted. The aircraft was subsequently stabilised and landed safely at Tabuk Airport in northern Saudi Arabia.
Passengers intervened as aircraft lost altitude
According to accounts shared by Israeli officials and passengers, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door despite his injuries. This allowed passengers and cabin crew to enter and confront the alleged attacker.
A passenger identified as Yaniv later told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he and another man entered the cockpit, found the wounded captain near the doorway and pulled the co-pilot away from the controls. Yaniv said he subsequently returned to the cockpit and pulled back on the controls as the aircraft tilted sharply.
Passenger accounts also indicated that two other pilots travelling aboard the flight helped bring the aircraft under control. Their intervention, together with the actions of the captain, passengers and crew, preceded the safe emergency landing. The precise sequence of events remains subject to investigation.
Captain praised as passengers reached Israel
Netanyahu praised Machchhar’s bravery, saying his decision to open the cockpit door enabled others to intervene. The Indian captain, who is of Gujarati origin, joined flydubai in June 2022 after spending nearly 11 years with SpiceJet, according to the report. His experience includes flying Boeing 737 aircraft and serving as a training captain.
Both the captain and co-pilot were taken to a hospital in Tabuk. A passenger described the captain’s condition as critical, although the report did not provide an independently confirmed medical update. Passengers remained in Saudi Arabia for approximately eight hours before boarding a replacement flydubai aircraft. They later arrived at Ben Gurion International Airport in Israel.
Investigation and security review follow incident
An Israeli official identified the co-pilot as an Omani national. Netanyahu said he was arrested after the aircraft landed and would be questioned by Saudi authorities. Israeli officials alleged that he attempted to sabotage the aircraft’s systems; investigators will need to establish his motive and the circumstances of the attack.
Israel’s Transport Ministry announced an investigation involving the defence establishment. Authorities are also examining the co-pilot’s clearance to operate flights to Israel and reports concerning his citizenship and employment history.
Describing the episode as a severe security incident, Netanyahu ordered tighter security procedures for Israeli and foreign airlines flying into the country. While all passengers reached safety, the incident has prompted scrutiny of cockpit security and pilot screening procedures.
