Flydubai co-pilot allegedly tried to crash plane after stabbing captain

Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, October 1, 2026 — A flydubai co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv and attempted to take control of the aircraft, prompting passengers and crew to intervene before the plane made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.

The incident occurred aboard flydubai Flight FZ1073, which was carrying 174 people. Israeli officials said the co-pilot, identified as an Omani national, attacked the captain during the flight. The aircraft subsequently plunged nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds.

The injured captain, identified as Indian national Smit Machchhar, managed to open the cockpit door after being attacked. Passengers and crew then entered the cockpit and subdued the co-pilot. Two other flydubai pilots who were travelling on the aircraft subsequently took control and helped land the plane safely at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia.

Flydubai said an altercation had taken place in the cockpit and that the aircraft was diverted to Tabuk, where it landed safely. The UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority described the incident as a security incident that was brought under control.

Machchhar was hospitalized with injuries that were described as non-life-threatening. Several passengers also sustained minor injuries, according to reports. The passengers later travelled from Saudi Arabia to Tel Aviv on a replacement flydubai aircraft.