Flydubai flight diverted after cockpit attack, Israel says

A flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv landed safely in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday (September 30) after passengers and crew intervened during a cockpit incident in which Israeli officials alleged the co-pilot stabbed the captain and attempted to crash the aircraft.

Flight FZ1073 was diverted to Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia. Flydubai confirmed that an altercation had taken place on the flight deck and reported that crew members travelling aboard the aircraft secured the plane before it was landed safely. The airline stressed that the reasons and motives behind the incident remained unknown and were under investigation.

According to Israeli officials cited by Reuters, passengers and crew entered the cockpit and overpowered the co-pilot, allowing two other flydubai pilots travelling on the flight to take control. Flight data showed the aircraft lost about 14,000 feet of altitude in less than 30 seconds during the incident.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the episode as a serious security incident and reported that 174 people were aboard the flight, most of them Israeli nationals. An Israeli official identified the co-pilot as an Omani national, while the captain, Smit Machchhar, was identified as an Indian national. Saudi authorities were investigating the incident.

The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) separately confirmed that FZ1073 had experienced a security incident that was brought under control. It reported injuries among crew members and urged the public not to speculate while investigators examined the circumstances, including operational and security aspects.

The passengers later continued to Tel Aviv aboard a replacement flydubai aircraft. Israel also announced plans to tighten security checks on pilots operating flights into the country following the incident.

Source: Reuters