On September 30, 2026, Flydubai flight FZ 1073 diverted from its Dubai–Tel Aviv route and landed safely at Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after a violent cockpit incident. Israeli officials say the co-pilot stabbed the captain and apparently tried to crash the aircraft; Flydubai has confirmed an altercation and the safe diversion, but the alleged intent has not been independently established.
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- What happened aboard: The aircraft descended sharply and transmitted a hijacking alert. Reports differ on the size of the descent, so an exact figure is uncertain.
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- How the flight was saved: Israeli officials say the wounded captain fought back and passengers subdued the co-pilot. Flydubai says other crew members aboard secured the aircraft and diverted and landed it at Tabuk; reporting also credits a British pilot who was aboard with helping. The precise roles each person played in flying the aircraft remain less clear.
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- Identity and motive: Netanyahu identified the captain as Indian national Smit Machchhar. Some reports, citing Israeli sources, describe the co-pilot as Omani, but his identity has not been authoritatively confirmed in the reporting reviewed. Israeli officials are investigating a possible deliberate attack, while Flydubai says the reasons and motive remain unknown; a hijacking or terrorism finding should not be treated as established.
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- Aftermath: Saudi authorities detained the suspected assailant for questioning, and the incident remained under investigation. Israel announced tighter checks on pilots flying into the country, and Flydubai suspended flights to and from Israel while the investigation proceeded.
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- Political response: Netanyahu called it a severe security incident and praised those who prevented a disaster. President Donald Trump said he had spoken with Netanyahu about it, while Israel’s foreign minister contacted his UAE counterpart. Earlier Israeli messaging had said the diversion was not a hijacking; later statements raised the possibility of an attempted crash, underscoring why the motive remains unresolved.
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