Dubai: A serious incident unfolded aboard flydubai Flight FZ1073 on Wednesday after an altercation broke out in the cockpit during the Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight, forcing the Boeing 737 to divert to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia.
Flydubai confirmed that an altercation occurred in the flight deck of Flight FZ1073, which was operating from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv. The airline said the aircraft was secured by on-duty flydubai crew members travelling on the flight, who diverted it and landed safely at Tabuk Airport. All passengers and crew were reported safe and accounted for.
Indian captain reportedly injured
The captain has been identified in media reports as Smit Machchhar, an Indian national and former SpiceJet pilot. Israeli outlet Ynet reported that Machchhar joined flydubai in 2022 after spending 11 years with SpiceJet and had extensive experience flying Boeing 737 aircraft.
Reports said Machchhar was injured during the cockpit confrontation and was taken to hospital after the aircraft landed in Tabuk. Saudi airport authorities said both the captain and first officer were injured and hospitalised.
Netanyahu’s Flydubai Account Raises MAJOR Questions
Netanyahu says one pilot stabbed the other and tried to crash the plane, but one detail needs explaining.
He claims a pilot and crew member somehow “managed to BREAK INTO THE COCKPIT” and restrain the attacker.
Commercial… pic.twitter.com/qzL9U4f9tn
— AfrikTimes (@afriktimesint) September 30, 2026
According to Israeli officials cited by Reuters, the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain and then attempted to crash the aircraft. Reuters reported that passengers and crew members intervened and subdued the co-pilot, while another set of pilots travelling on the aircraft subsequently took control and landed the plane.
However, flydubai has not confirmed the detailed allegations. The airline said the underlying reasons and motives remained unknown and were subject to a formal investigation, urging against premature speculation.
Aircraft made rapid descent
The seriousness of the incident became apparent when flight-tracking data showed that the aircraft suddenly descended by nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds, according to Flightradar24 data cited by Reuters.
The aircraft also transmitted emergency transponder codes. It squawked 7700, indicating a general emergency, and 7500, the code associated with unlawful interference. It later returned to 7700 before landing in Tabuk.
The aircraft diverted toward Saudi Arabia and landed safely at Tabuk Airport. The airport authorities subsequently confirmed that both pilots had been taken to hospital with injuries.
Passengers and crew intervened
According to accounts cited by Reuters, passengers heard screaming and saw one pilot being forced to the floor by a man holding a knife. Reuters said the wounded pilot was able to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to enter and intervene.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said passengers and a crew member entered the cockpit and subdued the pilot who was allegedly attempting to interfere with the aircraft’s systems. A second set of pilots travelling on the flight then took control and landed the aircraft in Saudi Arabia.
Was it a terror attack?
The incident has prompted allegations that the confrontation may have been an attempted deliberate attack on the aircraft. Israeli officials have described the incident in serious security terms, with some officials alleging that the co-pilot intended to crash the aircraft.
However, the precise motive has not been officially established. Reuters reported that an Israeli Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson initially said the incident was not believed to be a conventional hijacking. Flydubai has also said the reasons and motives remain unknown pending investigation.
Investigation underway
For now, the established facts are that Flight FZ1073 experienced a cockpit altercation, underwent a rapid descent, transmitted emergency signals and was diverted to Tabuk, where it landed safely.
Both pilots were injured and hospitalised, while passengers and crew were accounted for. The detailed circumstances of the cockpit confrontation, the alleged stabbing and the co-pilot’s reported actions remain subject to investigation.
Flydubai has deployed replacement aircraft to Tabuk to assist the affected passengers and crew and has said the incident has not affected its wider scheduled operations.
