Pilot stabbed on Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv; plane lands safely after emergency diversion
A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia after a pilot was stabbed in the cockpit, prompting passengers to restrain the attacker and help regain control of the aircraft.
A Flydubai aircraft en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv was forced to make an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after a pilot was allegedly stabbed in the cockpit. The incident occurred about two hours after take-off, when the plane began a rapid descent and transmitted a hijack code. Passengers and crew rushed to the cockpit, restrained the suspected attacker and attended to the injured captain, allowing reserve pilots in the cabin to regain control and land safely at 9:54 a.m. local time.
The injured captain, identified as Smit Machchhar, is in stable condition and receiving treatment in Saudi Arabia. An Israeli official said the attacker is an Omani national who has been detained by Saudi authorities. Israeli Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Machchhar’s actions, with Netanyahu describing the event as an "attempted terrorist attack" and noting that no prior intelligence warned of the incident.
Flydubai has temporarily suspended flights to and from Israel while investigations continue. Saudi, Israeli and UAE officials said they will cooperate to address extremist threats. Passengers recounted the sudden plunge of the aircraft and the chaotic scene, but all were eventually transferred to a replacement flight to Tel Aviv.