A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency stop in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after an incident in the cockpit involving both pilots. Flight FZ1073 had 174 people aboard when the co-pilot allegedly stabbed Captain Smit Machchhar and the aircraft entered a rapid descent.
Flight FZ1073 landed safely in Saudi Arabia after Captain Smit Machchhar was seriously wounded and passengers and other pilots helped regain control of the aircraft.
Reuters reported that the jet plunged nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds before passengers and crew regained control. Machchhar was seriously injured but managed to unlock the cockpit door so others could enter and overpower the co-pilot.
Saudi airport authorities confirmed the aircraft made an emergency landing at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk.
One passenger described how he put the alleged assailant in a chokehold before grabbing the plane’s controls to stabilize the flight. Other passengers claimed that additional pilots aboard the flight took control and brought the plane to Saudi Arabia. Both pilots were taken to a hospital for treatment.
The UAE launched a formal investigation into what happened during the flight. Captain Smit Machchhar is being honored in India for his bravery, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praising him as a hero.
Passengers were eventually returned safely to Israel after the emergency landing.
The incident occurred on a Wednesday morning, and the flight was part of Flydubai’s regular service between Dubai and Ben Gurion Airport in Israel. Among those aboard were four American citizens who also hold Israeli nationality. The airline has not yet released a statement on the identity of the co-pilot involved in the incident.
Flydubai stated that the complete circumstances and motives behind the event had not yet been established and were under investigation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that Israeli investigators believed the co-pilot intended to crash the plane while UAE authorities said the motive was still being investigated. Flydubai suspended flights to and from Israel while the investigation continues.
The Associated Press reported that the Boeing 737 Max 8 transmitted both general-emergency and unlawful-interference codes before landing. The event raised questions about cockpit security and airline protocols during in-flight emergencies.
IMAGE: Source A6-FDD Author Kurush Pawar from Dubai, United Arab Emirates CC2