<p>India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) has registered a case to investigate the hijacking attempt on Flydubai flight FZ1073 in Saudi airspace on September 30, when Indian Captain Smit Machchhar was attacked by his Omani co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami mid-air. Machchhar managed to avert a major disaster by resisting the attacker. Despite serious injuries, he opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers to rush in and restrain the officer. Two off-duty pilots took over the flight controls and made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.</p><p>The federal anti-terror agency registered the case under Section 6 of the Anti-Hijacking Act, 2016, and relevant provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) directed the NIA to investigate the incident, with officials citing the need to uncover a “larger conspiracy”.</p><h2><strong>What the NIA FIR says</strong></h2><p>According to the FIR filed on Friday, the flight departed Dubai at 7:05 am on September 30, carrying 174 passengers and six crew members. At around 9:21 am, while flying near the Jordan-Saudi Arabia border, the aircraft abruptly changed course and turned back into Saudi airspace.</p><p>The FIR identifies the first officer as an Omani national, who allegedly stabbed Machchhar during the flight.</p><p>“On September 30, it was reported that the Omani first officer of flydubai flight number 1073, piloted by Indian national Captain Smit Machchhar, stabbed the captain during the flight in an apparent attempt to hijack or cause it to crash. As a result of the attack, captain Smit Machchhar sustained deep cuts to his head and hands,” the FIR states.</p><p>The document adds that the co-pilot was “overwhelmed and restrained by passengers and crew”. Machchhar suffered deep cuts to his head and hands in the attack.</p><h2><strong>Investigation into alleged wider plot</strong></h2><p>The NIA said the case involved offences against an Indian national and required a central investigation given its gravity and international ramifications.</p><p>Hammami allegedly planned a 9/11-style attack, according to the claims surrounding the incident. However, the alleged wider plot remains subject to investigation.</p><p>“Indian government is of the opinion that a scheduled offence under the NIA Act has been committed and the case is related to attack on an Indian national with an apparent attempt to hijack or crash the plane flydubai flight 1073 on September 30, and having regard to the gravity of the offence, its grave national and international ramifications, and the need to unearth the larger conspiracy, the matter requires investigation by NIA,” the FIR reads.</p><p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Machchhar for averting what they described as a potential “9/11-type tragedy”. Israel has also announced a Presidential award for civilian heroism for the Indian pilot.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

The NIA has registered an FIR over the hijack attempt on Flydubai flight FZ1073 after co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami allegedly stabbed Indian captain Smit Machchhar, and is probing a “larger conspiracy”.

India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) has registered a case to investigate the hijacking attempt on Flydubai flight FZ1073 in Saudi airspace on September 30, when Indian Captain Smit Machchhar was attacked by his Omani co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami mid-air. Machchhar managed to avert a major disaster by resisting the attacker. Despite serious injuries, he opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers to rush in and restrain the officer. Two off-duty pilots took over the flight controls and made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The federal anti-terror agency registered the case under Section 6 of the Anti-Hijacking Act, 2016, and relevant provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) directed the NIA to investigate the incident, with officials citing the need to uncover a “larger conspiracy”. What the NIA FIR says According to the FIR filed on Friday, the flight departed Dubai at 7:05 am on September 30, carrying 174 passengers and six crew members. At around 9:21 am, while flying near the Jordan-Saudi Arabia border, the aircraft abruptly changed course and turned back into Saudi airspace. The FIR identifies the first officer as an Omani national, who allegedly stabbed Machchhar during the flight. “On September 30, it was reported that the Omani first officer of flydubai flight number 1073, piloted by Indian national Captain Smit Machchhar, stabbed the captain during the flight in an apparent attempt to hijack or cause it to crash. As a result of the attack, captain Smit Machchhar sustained deep cuts to his head and hands,” the FIR states. The document adds that the co-pilot was “overwhelmed and restrained by passengers and crew”. Machchhar suffered deep cuts to his head and hands in the attack. Investigation into alleged wider plot The NIA said the case involved offences against an Indian national and required a central investigation given its gravity and international ramifications. Hammami allegedly planned a 9/11-style attack, according to the claims surrounding the incident. However, the alleged wider plot remains subject to investigation. “Indian government is of the opinion that a scheduled offence under the NIA Act has been committed and the case is related to attack on an Indian national with an apparent attempt to hijack or crash the plane flydubai flight 1073 on September 30, and having regard to the gravity of the offence, its grave national and international ramifications, and the need to unearth the larger conspiracy, the matter requires investigation by NIA,” the FIR reads. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Machchhar for averting what they described as a potential “9/11-type tragedy”. Israel has also announced a Presidential award for civilian heroism for the Indian pilot.

<p>The NIA has registered an FIR over the hijack attempt on Flydubai flight FZ1073 after co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami allegedly stabbed Indian captain Smit Machchhar, and is probing a “larger conspiracy”.</p>

NIA files FIR in Flydubai hijack attempt and attack on Smit Machchhar, probes ‘larger conspiracy’

<p>In the hours since reports emerged of an alleged terror attack aboard a flydubai flight bound for Israel, one question has dominated: how was a pilot able to access a weapon inside the cockpit and seriously injure his colleague, sending the aircraft into a dangerous descent and forcing it to divert to Saudi Arabia? The details remain under investigation. Initial reports suggested that the Omani co-pilot had used a knife, possibly cutlery from the aircraft, to attack Indian captain Smit Machchhar.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>However, a new report by CBS News indicates that the alleged attacker may not have brought any external weapon into the cockpit. Instead, he is believed to have used a crash axe, also known as a fire axe, which is kept inside the cockpit as emergency equipment. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also said earlier that a crash axe was used in the alleged attack. The incident unfolded around two and a half hours after the flight departed Dubai. According to Flightradar24, the aircraft plunged from about 33,000 feet to 17,000 feet, roughly 10,000 metres to 5,100 metres, in around a minute. The plane then made an erratic circle near the Jordanian border before eventually landing in the Saudi city of Tabuk about an hour later.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>A person who heard the aircraft's communications with air traffic control described the plane being turned away by Saudi Arabia and Jordan before eventually being allowed to land in Tabuk. Passengers could reportedly be heard screaming in the background as the pilot made an emergency call. The pilot's voice was described as trembling as he declared ‘mayday’ and said a hijacking was taking place.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/flydubai-flight-fz1073-what-happens-when-a-pilot-becomes-a-threat-inside-the-cockpit-how-many-are-inside-and-how-secure-is-plane-s-flight-deck-1790830472586"><strong>Flydubai flight FZ1073: What happens when a pilot becomes a threat inside the cockpit? How many are inside and how secure is plane's flight deck</strong></a></p><h2>Why was an axe inside the cockpit?</h2><p>A crash axe is standard emergency equipment aboard commercial aircraft. Under international aviation regulations, commercial airliners are required to carry such equipment, which is intended to help crews deal with emergencies, including situations involving damaged aircraft or blocked access after a crash. Historically, axes were stored in passenger cabins. However, following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States, aviation security procedures changed and such equipment was moved to the cockpit on many aircraft. The crash axe is now generally kept within the pilots' reach, allowing it to be accessed quickly during an emergency.</p><h3>Co-pilot's identity and motive remain unclear</h3><p>The identity of the Omani co-pilot and the motive behind the alleged attack have not been publicly established. Netanyahu has said that the co-pilot was arrested. Authorities in Saudi Arabia and the UAE have provided limited public details, saying investigations are underway. Flydubai has also announced the suspension of its flights to and from Israel while the investigation continues.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The incident occurred amid heightened security concerns in Israel, with the country approaching the anniversary of the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attack that triggered the war in Gaza. Speaking to CNN, Netanyahu said Captain Machchhar and the passengers who entered the cockpit ‘managed to prevent a 9/11 disaster’.</p>

Flydubai flight attack: New reports say an Omani co-pilot may have used a cockpit crash axe to attack Captain Smit Machchhar before the plane diverted

In the hours since reports emerged of an alleged terror attack aboard a flydubai flight bound for Israel, one question has dominated: how was a pilot able to access a weapon inside the cockpit and seriously injure his colleague, sending the aircraft into a dangerous descent and forcing it to divert to Saudi Arabia? The details remain under investigation. Initial reports suggested that the Omani co-pilot had used a knife, possibly cutlery from the aircraft, to attack Indian captain Smit Machchhar. However, a new report by CBS News indicates that the alleged attacker may not have brought any external weapon into the cockpit. Instead, he is believed to have used a crash axe, also known as a fire axe, which is kept inside the cockpit as emergency equipment. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also said earlier that a crash axe was used in the alleged attack. The incident unfolded around two and a half hours after the flight departed Dubai. According to Flightradar24, the aircraft plunged from about 33,000 feet to 17,000 feet, roughly 10,000 metres to 5,100 metres, in around a minute. The plane then made an erratic circle near the Jordanian border before eventually landing in the Saudi city of Tabuk about an hour later. A person who heard the aircraft's communications with air traffic control described the plane being turned away by Saudi Arabia and Jordan before eventually being allowed to land in Tabuk. Passengers could reportedly be heard screaming in the background as the pilot made an emergency call. The pilot's voice was described as trembling as he declared ‘mayday’ and said a hijacking was taking place. Also Read: Flydubai flight FZ1073: What happens when a pilot becomes a threat inside the cockpit? How many are inside and how secure is plane's flight deck Why was an axe inside the cockpit? A crash axe is standard emergency equipment aboard commercial aircraft. Under international aviation regulations, commercial airliners are required to carry such equipment, which is intended to help crews deal with emergencies, including situations involving damaged aircraft or blocked access after a crash. Historically, axes were stored in passenger cabins. However, following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States, aviation security procedures changed and such equipment was moved to the cockpit on many aircraft. The crash axe is now generally kept within the pilots' reach, allowing it to be accessed quickly during an emergency. Co-pilot's identity and motive remain unclear The identity of the Omani co-pilot and the motive behind the alleged attack have not been publicly established. Netanyahu has said that the co-pilot was arrested. Authorities in Saudi Arabia and the UAE have provided limited public details, saying investigations are underway. Flydubai has also announced the suspension of its flights to and from Israel while the investigation continues. The incident occurred amid heightened security concerns in Israel, with the country approaching the anniversary of the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attack that triggered the war in Gaza. Speaking to CNN, Netanyahu said Captain Machchhar and the passengers who entered the cockpit ‘managed to prevent a 9/11 disaster’.

<p>A flydubai pilot was allegedly attacked with a cockpit crash axe, triggering a steep descent before the flight diverted and landed safely in Saudi Arabia</p>

Flydubai flight attack: Why was a crash axe inside the cockpit? Was it used to attack Captain Smit Machchhar?

<p>A Flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after a violent confrontation inside the cockpit left both pilots injured and sent the aircraft into a rapid descent. Flight FZ1073, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 carrying 174 people, eventually landed safely at Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia after other qualified crew members on board took control of the aircraft. The captain was identified as Indian pilot Smit Machchhar, who was injured during the confrontation and taken to hospital in Tabuk. The co-pilot was also injured and was arrested by Saudi authorities after the aircraft landed, according to reports.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The incident has raised questions far beyond what happened during the flight. How could a confrontation inside a locked cockpit develop into such a serious emergency? How could a weapon allegedly be brought into the cockpit? How does cockpit surveillance work? How many people normally occupy a flight deck? And what security measures are designed to prevent an attack by someone who already has authorised access to the cockpit?</p><h2>What happened on Flydubai flight FZ1073?</h2><p>FZ1073 departed Dubai International Airport for Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv on Wednesday. The aircraft was cruising above 30,000 feet when a confrontation broke out inside the flight deck. As per Reuters, the aircraft subsequently lost nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds. Passengers described what initially felt like severe turbulence before realising that something much more serious was happening near the cockpit. Israeli officials alleged that the co-pilot stabbed Machchhar and attempted to crash the aircraft. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later described the incident as an attempted attack. However, the precise circumstances remain under investigation. Flydubai has confirmed that a security incident occurred and that the aircraft diverted safely to Tabuk, but the underlying motive and complete sequence of events have not been established.</p><h2>How did the aircraft suddenly lose altitude?</h2><p>The most dramatic indication that something had gone wrong came when the aircraft began descending rapidly.</p><p>Reuters reported that FZ1073 dropped nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds. The rapid descent occurred while the confrontation was taking place inside the cockpit. The aircraft transmitted an emergency alert and subsequently diverted from its planned route to Tel Aviv towards Tabuk. The incident therefore involved two simultaneous emergencies: a physical confrontation affecting the flight crew and a serious flight-control situation.</p><h2>How did passengers get into the cockpit?</h2><p>This is one of the most unusual aspects of the FZ1073 incident. Modern passenger aircraft are specifically designed to prevent unauthorised access to the cockpit. The flight-deck door is strengthened and normally remains locked during flight. In the FZ1073 case, however, reports say Captain Machchhar was able to open the cockpit door while injured, allowing passengers and crew members to enter. A spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the wounded captain used “the last moments of his energy” to open the door.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Passengers then entered the cockpit and reportedly restrained the co-pilot. There was another crucial factor: off-duty Flydubai pilots were travelling as passengers on the aircraft. They were subsequently able to take control of the aircraft and assist with the emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/flydubai-cockpit-attack-all-we-know-about-co-pilot-accused-of-stabbing-smit-machchhar-trying-to-crash-plane-with-174-passengers-onboard-1790825078610"><strong>Flydubai cockpit attack: All we know about co-pilot accused of stabbing Smit Machchhar, trying to crash plane with 174 passengers onboard</strong></a></p><h2>How many pilots are normally inside a Boeing 737 MAX cockpit?</h2><p>A Boeing 737 MAX operated as a normal commercial passenger flight has two flight crew members in the cockpit: the captain and the first officer/co-pilot. They are responsible for operating and monitoring the aircraft and its systems.</p><p>Other crew members, including cabin crew, are normally located in the passenger cabin. Additional qualified pilots can sometimes be travelling as passengers, as reportedly happened on FZ1073, but they are not part of the normal operating cockpit crew for that flight.</p><h2>How secure is a modern aircraft cockpit?</h2><p>The cockpit is one of the most heavily protected areas of a commercial passenger aircraft. Aviation regulations require secure flight-crew compartment doors. Under EASA rules, applicable passenger aircraft must have an approved secure cockpit door capable of being locked, while the crew must have a means of monitoring the area outside the door. US aviation standards similarly require flight-deck doors to provide resistance against forced intrusion. The FAA specifically describes flight-deck intrusion resistance as protection against unauthorised attempts to enter the cockpit. The security system is therefore built around several layers rather than simply relying on a locked door.</p><h2>But what if the threat is already inside the cockpit?</h2><p>This is the central security question raised by FZ1073. Most cockpit-security systems are primarily designed around preventing unauthorised people from getting into the cockpit. The FZ1073 case presents a different problem: according to the allegations, the person involved was already authorised to be there. That means a reinforced door cannot by itself prevent an incident involving a member of the flight crew.</p><h2>Could a co-pilot bring a weapon into the cockpit?</h2><p>This is one of the biggest unanswered questions surrounding FZ1073. If investigators establish that a knife or another weapon was used, they will need to determine where it came from and how it entered the secure aviation environment. However, there is currently no reliable public evidence establishing precisely how the alleged weapon involved in FZ1073 was obtained or brought aboard.</p><h2>Is the cockpit continuously monitored?</h2><p>There are multiple layers of monitoring, but it is important not to confuse them. Commercial aircraft have systems for recording flight-deck communications and monitoring the cockpit environment. Flight-data and cockpit-voice recorders can provide investigators with important evidence after an incident. EASA rules, for example, specify requirements for cockpit voice recording. There can also be surveillance of the area immediately outside the cockpit. But that does not necessarily mean that someone on the ground is watching a live video feed of everything happening inside the cockpit throughout every flight.</p><h2>What happens before passengers board?</h2><p>Cockpit security does not begin once the aircraft takes off. Airports and airlines use multiple layers of aviation-security controls before passengers and crew reach the aircraft. These can include identity verification, access-control systems, security screening, restricted-area controls and procedures governing access by airport workers and crew. The exact process differs according to the airport, country, airline and crew member's status. For FZ1073, investigators will have to determine whether there was any point in the chain at which the alleged weapon could have entered the aircraft. That is a much more specific question than simply asking whether airport security was ‘bypassed’.</p><h2>What investigators now need to establish</h2><p>The key unanswered questions surrounding FZ1073 include:</p><ol><li>What triggered the confrontation between the two pilots?</li><li>Exactly when did the physical struggle begin?</li><li>What caused the aircraft's rapid descent?</li><li>Was the aircraft deliberately placed into a dangerous flight path?</li><li>What weapon was allegedly used?</li><li>Where did that weapon come from?</li><li>How did it pass through aviation-security controls?</li><li>Were there surveillance recordings covering relevant areas?</li><li>What did the cockpit voice and flight-data recorders capture?</li><li>How did the captain manage to open the cockpit door?</li><li>How did passengers and other crew members gain access?</li><li>How quickly were qualified pilots able to take control?</li><li>Were all cockpit security procedures followed before and during the flight?</li><li>Did any existing safety procedure fail, or did the incident expose a scenario that existing procedures were not designed to address?</li></ol>

Flydubai FZ1073 cockpit attack explained: What happened to Captain Smit Machchhar, how passengers intervened and how cockpit security works

A Flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after a violent confrontation inside the cockpit left both pilots injured and sent the aircraft into a rapid descent. Flight FZ1073, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 carrying 174 people, eventually landed safely at Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia after other qualified crew members on board took control of the aircraft. The captain was identified as Indian pilot Smit Machchhar, who was injured during the confrontation and taken to hospital in Tabuk. The co-pilot was also injured and was arrested by Saudi authorities after the aircraft landed, according to reports. The incident has raised questions far beyond what happened during the flight. How could a confrontation inside a locked cockpit develop into such a serious emergency? How could a weapon allegedly be brought into the cockpit? How does cockpit surveillance work? How many people normally occupy a flight deck? And what security measures are designed to prevent an attack by someone who already has authorised access to the cockpit? What happened on Flydubai flight FZ1073? FZ1073 departed Dubai International Airport for Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv on Wednesday. The aircraft was cruising above 30,000 feet when a confrontation broke out inside the flight deck. As per Reuters, the aircraft subsequently lost nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds. Passengers described what initially felt like severe turbulence before realising that something much more serious was happening near the cockpit. Israeli officials alleged that the co-pilot stabbed Machchhar and attempted to crash the aircraft. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later described the incident as an attempted attack. However, the precise circumstances remain under investigation. Flydubai has confirmed that a security incident occurred and that the aircraft diverted safely to Tabuk, but the underlying motive and complete sequence of events have not been established. How did the aircraft suddenly lose altitude? The most dramatic indication that something had gone wrong came when the aircraft began descending rapidly. Reuters reported that FZ1073 dropped nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds. The rapid descent occurred while the confrontation was taking place inside the cockpit. The aircraft transmitted an emergency alert and subsequently diverted from its planned route to Tel Aviv towards Tabuk. The incident therefore involved two simultaneous emergencies: a physical confrontation affecting the flight crew and a serious flight-control situation. How did passengers get into the cockpit? This is one of the most unusual aspects of the FZ1073 incident. Modern passenger aircraft are specifically designed to prevent unauthorised access to the cockpit. The flight-deck door is strengthened and normally remains locked during flight. In the FZ1073 case, however, reports say Captain Machchhar was able to open the cockpit door while injured, allowing passengers and crew members to enter. A spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the wounded captain used “the last moments of his energy” to open the door. Passengers then entered the cockpit and reportedly restrained the co-pilot. There was another crucial factor: off-duty Flydubai pilots were travelling as passengers on the aircraft. They were subsequently able to take control of the aircraft and assist with the emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. Also Read: Flydubai cockpit attack: All we know about co-pilot accused of stabbing Smit Machchhar, trying to crash plane with 174 passengers onboard How many pilots are normally inside a Boeing 737 MAX cockpit? A Boeing 737 MAX operated as a normal commercial passenger flight has two flight crew members in the cockpit: the captain and the first officer/co-pilot. They are responsible for operating and monitoring the aircraft and its systems. Other crew members, including cabin crew, are normally located in the passenger cabin. Additional qualified pilots can sometimes be travelling as passengers, as reportedly happened on FZ1073, but they are not part of the normal operating cockpit crew for that flight. How secure is a modern aircraft cockpit? The cockpit is one of the most heavily protected areas of a commercial passenger aircraft. Aviation regulations require secure flight-crew compartment doors. Under EASA rules, applicable passenger aircraft must have an approved secure cockpit door capable of being locked, while the crew must have a means of monitoring the area outside the door. US aviation standards similarly require flight-deck doors to provide resistance against forced intrusion. The FAA specifically describes flight-deck intrusion resistance as protection against unauthorised attempts to enter the cockpit. The security system is therefore built around several layers rather than simply relying on a locked door. But what if the threat is already inside the cockpit? This is the central security question raised by FZ1073. Most cockpit-security systems are primarily designed around preventing unauthorised people from getting into the cockpit. The FZ1073 case presents a different problem: according to the allegations, the person involved was already authorised to be there. That means a reinforced door cannot by itself prevent an incident involving a member of the flight crew. Could a co-pilot bring a weapon into the cockpit? This is one of the biggest unanswered questions surrounding FZ1073. If investigators establish that a knife or another weapon was used, they will need to determine where it came from and how it entered the secure aviation environment. However, there is currently no reliable public evidence establishing precisely how the alleged weapon involved in FZ1073 was obtained or brought aboard. Is the cockpit continuously monitored? There are multiple layers of monitoring, but it is important not to confuse them. Commercial aircraft have systems for recording flight-deck communications and monitoring the cockpit environment. Flight-data and cockpit-voice recorders can provide investigators with important evidence after an incident. EASA rules, for example, specify requirements for cockpit voice recording. There can also be surveillance of the area immediately outside the cockpit. But that does not necessarily mean that someone on the ground is watching a live video feed of everything happening inside the cockpit throughout every flight. What happens before passengers board? Cockpit security does not begin once the aircraft takes off. Airports and airlines use multiple layers of aviation-security controls before passengers and crew reach the aircraft. These can include identity verification, access-control systems, security screening, restricted-area controls and procedures governing access by airport workers and crew. The exact process differs according to the airport, country, airline and crew member's status. For FZ1073, investigators will have to determine whether there was any point in the chain at which the alleged weapon could have entered the aircraft. That is a much more specific question than simply asking whether airport security was ‘bypassed’. What investigators now need to establish The key unanswered questions surrounding FZ1073 include: What triggered the confrontation between the two pilots? Exactly when did the physical struggle begin? What caused the aircraft's rapid descent? Was the aircraft deliberately placed into a dangerous flight path? What weapon was allegedly used? Where did that weapon come from? How did it pass through aviation-security controls? Were there surveillance recordings covering relevant areas? What did the cockpit voice and flight-data recorders capture? How did the captain manage to open the cockpit door? How did passengers and other crew members gain access? How quickly were qualified pilots able to take control? Were all cockpit security procedures followed before and during the flight? Did any existing safety procedure fail, or did the incident expose a scenario that existing procedures were not designed to address?

<p>Flydubai FZ1073 was diverted to Saudi Arabia after a cockpit attack injured both pilots. Here’s what happened and how cockpit security works</p>

Flydubai flight FZ1073: What happens when a pilot becomes a threat inside the cockpit? How many are inside and how secure is plane's flight deck

<p>Captain Smit Machchhar has been identified as the Indian pilot who fended off the Omani pilot who attempted to hijack the Flydubai flight on Wednesday (Sep 30). Chaos erupted in the cockpit of flight FZ 1073 when the Omani pilot tried to hijack the flight with the intention of crashing it. An altercation broke out between the two pilots, and Machchhar was stabbed. Passengers told Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu after landing in Tel Aviv that the stabbed captain managed to open the cockpit door that allowed passengers to get in and interfere. The co-pilot was then restrained by the passengers. Two other pilots who were travelling on the flight as passengers took control of the flight and made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. According to reports, Machchhar underwent surgery after being injured in the incident.</p><h2><strong>Who is Smit Machchhar?</strong></h2><p>Smit Machchhar, an Indian aviation professional and former SpiceJet commander, was serving as captain on Flydubai Flight FZ1073, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. According to his LinkedIn profile, he has more than 13 years of experience and over 9,750 flying hours across Boeing 737 aircraft, including the B737-800 and B737 MAX 8/9.</p><p>Machchhar has been working for Flydubai as a captain since June 2022. Before this, he worked for 11 years with SpiceJet, where he was a senior commander. He has also served as a Line Training Captain and is skilled in mentoring and assessing pilots.</p><p>The Indian pilot completed his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Welingkar Institute of Management.</p><h2><strong>What happened on Flydubai flight?</strong></h2><p>According to the passengers’ account, an altercation broke out between the pilots, which turned violent. One of the pilots stabbed his co-pilot in the cockpit and attempted to crash the plane with the intention of killing everyone on board. During the altercation, the plane suddenly plunged several feet, from nearly 34,000 feet to less than 17,000 feet. Passengers intervened and restrained the pilot, who stabbed Machchhar. Two other pilots were among the passengers, who then took over the controls and carried out the emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The Omani pilot was arrested and is being interrogated by the Saudi authorities.</p><p>The plane also sent distress signal 7700, a general international emergency signal. It also briefly sent the code 7500, which signals hijacking and unlawful interference, before it went back to the original distress code.</p>

Indian captain Smit Machchhar, a former SpiceJet commander with nearly 9,750 flying hours, helped bring a Flydubai flight safely to Saudi Arabia after a cockpit emergency.

Captain Smit Machchhar has been identified as the Indian pilot who fended off the Omani pilot who attempted to hijack the Flydubai flight on Wednesday (Sep 30). Chaos erupted in the cockpit of flight FZ 1073 when the Omani pilot tried to hijack the flight with the intention of crashing it. An altercation broke out between the two pilots, and Machchhar was stabbed. Passengers told Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu after landing in Tel Aviv that the stabbed captain managed to open the cockpit door that allowed passengers to get in and interfere. The co-pilot was then restrained by the passengers. Two other pilots who were travelling on the flight as passengers took control of the flight and made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. According to reports, Machchhar underwent surgery after being injured in the incident. Who is Smit Machchhar? Smit Machchhar, an Indian aviation professional and former SpiceJet commander, was serving as captain on Flydubai Flight FZ1073, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. According to his LinkedIn profile, he has more than 13 years of experience and over 9,750 flying hours across Boeing 737 aircraft, including the B737-800 and B737 MAX 8/9. Machchhar has been working for Flydubai as a captain since June 2022. Before this, he worked for 11 years with SpiceJet, where he was a senior commander. He has also served as a Line Training Captain and is skilled in mentoring and assessing pilots. The Indian pilot completed his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Welingkar Institute of Management. What happened on Flydubai flight? According to the passengers’ account, an altercation broke out between the pilots, which turned violent. One of the pilots stabbed his co-pilot in the cockpit and attempted to crash the plane with the intention of killing everyone on board. During the altercation, the plane suddenly plunged several feet, from nearly 34,000 feet to less than 17,000 feet. Passengers intervened and restrained the pilot, who stabbed Machchhar. Two other pilots were among the passengers, who then took over the controls and carried out the emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The Omani pilot was arrested and is being interrogated by the Saudi authorities. The plane also sent distress signal 7700, a general international emergency signal. It also briefly sent the code 7500, which signals hijacking and unlawful interference, before it went back to the original distress code.

<p>Indian captain Smit Machchhar, a former SpiceJet commander with nearly 9,750 flying hours, helped bring a Flydubai flight safely to Saudi Arabia after a cockpit emergency.</p>

Who is Capt. Smit Machchhar, Indian pilot who helped avert Flydubai disaster?

<p>A plane carrying passengers from the rerouted Flydubai flight landed at Tel Aviv airport on Wednesday (Sep 30). The flight FZ 1073 was forced to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after one of the pilots attempted to hijack the plane with the intention of crashing it. Israeli leaders have described the incident as an attempted “terrorist” attack. The passengers departed from Tabuk on a second aircraft, also operated by Flydubai, and landed on the tarmac of Ben Gurion Airport at 1534 GMT. Reportedly, Saudi Arabia had turned down a request from Israeli authorities to allow their planes to pick up Israeli passengers from the flight.</p><h2><strong>What happened on Flydubai flight?</strong></h2><p>According to the passengers’ account, an altercation broke out between the pilots, which turned violent. One of the pilots stabbed his co-pilot in the cockpit and attempted to crash the plane with the intention of killing everyone on board. During the altercation, the plane suddenly plunged several feet, from nearly 34,000 feet to less than 17,000 feet. Passengers intervened and took control of the pilot.</p><p>Smit Machchhar, an Indian captain, has been identified as the pilot who helped avert the crash of the aircraft. According to officials and reports, his Omani co-pilot attacked him and attempted to seize control of the Boeing 737 MAX 8.</p><p>The pilot who stabbed has been arrested and being interrogated by the Saudi authorities.</p><h2>‘Pretty much out of control’</h2><p>Passenger Miryam Shira Ohayon said that the aircraft was “pretty much out of control” when the stabbing happened, as the plane was flying over Jordan on its path from Dubai to Tel Aviv.</p><p>“The co-pilot tried to murder the pilot and basically carry out a suicide attack on the plane,” she told reporters via a speakerphone held up by her mother at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv.</p><p>“It was really on the way to crashing, and it was simply the resourcefulness of many people who took control of the co-pilot and neutralised him,” she added.</p><p>“There was also a doctor who gave first aid, and people who treated both of them. Other than the pilot, there were no injuries, but the bigger fear was really a crash, which is exactly what he was trying to do,” the passenger said.</p><p>The plane also sent distress signal 7700, a general international emergency signal. It also briefly sent the code 7500, which signals hijacking and unlawful interference, before it went back to the original distress code.</p>

Passengers from the Flydubai flight landed in Tel Aviv on a second flight after their plane made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after one of the pilots stabbed his co-pilot and attempted to crash the plane.

A plane carrying passengers from the rerouted Flydubai flight landed at Tel Aviv airport on Wednesday (Sep 30). The flight FZ 1073 was forced to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after one of the pilots attempted to hijack the plane with the intention of crashing it. Israeli leaders have described the incident as an attempted “terrorist” attack. The passengers departed from Tabuk on a second aircraft, also operated by Flydubai, and landed on the tarmac of Ben Gurion Airport at 1534 GMT. Reportedly, Saudi Arabia had turned down a request from Israeli authorities to allow their planes to pick up Israeli passengers from the flight. What happened on Flydubai flight? According to the passengers’ account, an altercation broke out between the pilots, which turned violent. One of the pilots stabbed his co-pilot in the cockpit and attempted to crash the plane with the intention of killing everyone on board. During the altercation, the plane suddenly plunged several feet, from nearly 34,000 feet to less than 17,000 feet. Passengers intervened and took control of the pilot. Smit Machchhar, an Indian captain, has been identified as the pilot who helped avert the crash of the aircraft. According to officials and reports, his Omani co-pilot attacked him and attempted to seize control of the Boeing 737 MAX 8. The pilot who stabbed has been arrested and being interrogated by the Saudi authorities. ‘Pretty much out of control’ Passenger Miryam Shira Ohayon said that the aircraft was “pretty much out of control” when the stabbing happened, as the plane was flying over Jordan on its path from Dubai to Tel Aviv. “The co-pilot tried to murder the pilot and basically carry out a suicide attack on the plane,” she told reporters via a speakerphone held up by her mother at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv. “It was really on the way to crashing, and it was simply the resourcefulness of many people who took control of the co-pilot and neutralised him,” she added. “There was also a doctor who gave first aid, and people who treated both of them. Other than the pilot, there were no injuries, but the bigger fear was really a crash, which is exactly what he was trying to do,” the passenger said. The plane also sent distress signal 7700, a general international emergency signal. It also briefly sent the code 7500, which signals hijacking and unlawful interference, before it went back to the original distress code.

<p>Passengers from the Flydubai flight landed in Tel Aviv on a second flight after their plane made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after one of the pilots stabbed his co-pilot and attempted to crash the plane.</p>

Flydubai passengers land in Tel Aviv after hijack scare, emergency landing in Saudi

<p>An Indian captain has been identified as the pilot who helped prevent a Flydubai passenger jet from crashing after a violent confrontation in the cockpit of a flight bound for Tel Aviv.</p><p>Smit Machchhar, a former SpiceJet commander who joined the Dubai-based airline in 2022, was flying Flight FZ1073 on Wednesday when, according to officials and media reports, his Omani co-pilot attacked him and attempted to seize control of the Boeing 737 MAX 8.</p><p>The aircraft, carrying about 174 to 180 passengers and crew, was over north-western Saudi Arabia when it plunged more than 14,000 feet in under 30 seconds.</p><p>Flight-tracking data showed sharp altitude swings from about 34,000ft. The jet then transmitted emergency codes, including 7500, the international signal for unlawful interference. After the cockpit was secured, the aircraft diverted and landed safely at Tabuk airport. All those on board were accounted for.</p><p>Israeli officials have described the episode as a possible terrorist attack or attempt to crash the plane; an investigation is continuing and the airline has not confirmed a motive. Flydubai said an “altercation” occurred on the flight deck and that off-duty crew travelling as passengers helped secure the aircraft.</p><p>Machchhar, at SpiceJet served as a senior commander. He holds a business administration degree from Welingkar Institute.</p>

Indian pilot Smit Machchhar helped prevent a Flydubai jet from crashing after a cockpit confrontation forced the Boeing 737 MAX 8 to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.

An Indian captain has been identified as the pilot who helped prevent a Flydubai passenger jet from crashing after a violent confrontation in the cockpit of a flight bound for Tel Aviv. Smit Machchhar, a former SpiceJet commander who joined the Dubai-based airline in 2022, was flying Flight FZ1073 on Wednesday when, according to officials and media reports, his Omani co-pilot attacked him and attempted to seize control of the Boeing 737 MAX 8. The aircraft, carrying about 174 to 180 passengers and crew, was over north-western Saudi Arabia when it plunged more than 14,000 feet in under 30 seconds. Flight-tracking data showed sharp altitude swings from about 34,000ft. The jet then transmitted emergency codes, including 7500, the international signal for unlawful interference. After the cockpit was secured, the aircraft diverted and landed safely at Tabuk airport. All those on board were accounted for. Israeli officials have described the episode as a possible terrorist attack or attempt to crash the plane; an investigation is continuing and the airline has not confirmed a motive. Flydubai said an “altercation” occurred on the flight deck and that off-duty crew travelling as passengers helped secure the aircraft. Machchhar, at SpiceJet served as a senior commander. He holds a business administration degree from Welingkar Institute.

<p>Indian pilot Smit Machchhar helped prevent a Flydubai jet from crashing after a cockpit confrontation forced the Boeing 737 MAX 8 to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.</p>

Hero Indian captain stops cockpit attack on Tel Aviv-bound Flydubai jet

<p>A passenger detailed what happened aboard the Flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Israel on Wednesday (Sep 30), when one of the pilots tried to hijack the flight with the intention of crashing it. The Boeing 737 MAX was forced to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after the situation turned scary mid-flight. Israel’s far-right national security minister Itamar Ben Gvir described the incident as an attempted “terrorist” attack. The plane’s captain and co-pilot both sustained injuries and were transported to a hospital. The pilot who stabbed his co-pilot has been arrested and is being interrogated by the Saudi authorities.</p><h2><strong>What happened on Flydubai flight?</strong></h2><p>According to an AFP report, citing a passenger on board the flight, one of the pilots attacked his co-pilot and tried to crash the plane to carry out a “suicide attack”. Passenger Miryam Shira Ohayon said that the aircraft was “pretty much out of control” when the stabbing happened, as the plane was flying over Jordan on its path from Dubai to Tel Aviv.</p><p>“The co-pilot tried to murder the pilot and basically carry out a suicide attack on the plane,” she told reporters via a speakerphone held up by her mother at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv.</p><p>Flightradar website data showed that the aircraft suddenly lost altitude mid-flight, dropping from nearly 34,000 feet at 0521 GMT to less than 17,000 feet at 0522 GMT.</p><p>“It was really on the way to crashing, and it was simply the resourcefulness of many people who took control of the co-pilot and neutralised him,” she added.</p><p>“There was also a doctor who gave first aid, and people who treated both of them. Other than the pilot, there were no injuries, but the bigger fear was really a crash, which is exactly what he was trying to do,” the passenger said.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Footage taken by a passenger aboard the flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv after the plane took a rapid plunge. <a href="https://t.co/O3vd5644pL">pic.twitter.com/O3vd5644pL</a></p>&mdash; Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) <a href="https://x.com/manniefabian/status/2105249818721374414?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<p>The low-cost carrier had earlier said flight FZ 1073 “experienced an incident while en route. The aircraft has landed safely in Tabuk Airport (TUU) and all passengers are safe and accounted for”.</p><p>Earlier, Ohayon's mother, Yasmin Abukasis, told AFP that her daughter called her from Saudi Arabia: “She said one pilot tried to kill the other pilot with a knife. They heard shouting.” She added that another passenger went to the cockpit “and saw a lot of blood. She started screaming ‘come help’ and some people went in and caught the guy.”</p><p>“All the while, the plane started going down very fast. People thought they were going to die,” she added.</p><p>After landing in Saudi Arabia, an Israeli passenger aboard the flight said that the passengers “were very welcomed” in Saudi Arabia.</p><h2><strong>Altercation between pilots</strong></h2><p>According to Israeli media reports, a fight broke out between the pilots, which reportedly triggered a distress signal to be activated.&nbsp;</p><p>Squawk code 7700, a general international emergency signal, was initially transmitted before switching to 7500, which signals hijacking and unlawful interference. The plane later went back to the original distress code.</p><p>The reports added that passengers on board stepped in to separate the two pilots. Media reports showed photos of a passenger with a bloodied T-shirt.</p><p>According to reports, two other pilots were among the passengers, who then took over the controls and carried out the emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.</p><p><i><strong>Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the videos or the claims.</strong></i></p>

Passengers described a terrifying Flydubai flight after one pilot allegedly attacked the other and tried to crash the plane, forcing an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.

A passenger detailed what happened aboard the Flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Israel on Wednesday (Sep 30), when one of the pilots tried to hijack the flight with the intention of crashing it. The Boeing 737 MAX was forced to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after the situation turned scary mid-flight. Israel’s far-right national security minister Itamar Ben Gvir described the incident as an attempted “terrorist” attack. The plane’s captain and co-pilot both sustained injuries and were transported to a hospital. The pilot who stabbed his co-pilot has been arrested and is being interrogated by the Saudi authorities. What happened on Flydubai flight? According to an AFP report, citing a passenger on board the flight, one of the pilots attacked his co-pilot and tried to crash the plane to carry out a “suicide attack”. Passenger Miryam Shira Ohayon said that the aircraft was “pretty much out of control” when the stabbing happened, as the plane was flying over Jordan on its path from Dubai to Tel Aviv. “The co-pilot tried to murder the pilot and basically carry out a suicide attack on the plane,” she told reporters via a speakerphone held up by her mother at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv. Flightradar website data showed that the aircraft suddenly lost altitude mid-flight, dropping from nearly 34,000 feet at 0521 GMT to less than 17,000 feet at 0522 GMT. “It was really on the way to crashing, and it was simply the resourcefulness of many people who took control of the co-pilot and neutralised him,” she added. “There was also a doctor who gave first aid, and people who treated both of them. Other than the pilot, there were no injuries, but the bigger fear was really a crash, which is exactly what he was trying to do,” the passenger said.

<p>Passengers described a terrifying Flydubai flight after one pilot allegedly attacked the other and tried to crash the plane, forcing an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.</p>

What happened on Flydubai flight to Israel? Passenger recounts chilling details

<p>Following a hijacking scare aboard a Flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Israel on Wednesday (Sep 30), the plane made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. According to reports, one of the pilots tried to hijack the aircraft with the intention of crashing it. He also attacked the other pilot. Following the chaos on board, the Boeing 737 MAX safely landed in Saudi Arabia. A video taken by a passenger aboard the plane emerged on social media, showing people clapping and cheering as the flight landed.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">WATCH: Moment the FLYDUBAI plane landed in Saudi Arabia safely <a href="https://t.co/yDPuXgNlWb">pic.twitter.com/yDPuXgNlWb</a></p>&mdash; Open Source Intel (@Osint613) <a href="https://x.com/Osint613/status/2105228407525224470?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<p>According to a statement from the company operating the airport, the Flydubai plane was forced to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia’s Tabuk “at 9:45 am (0645 GMT), and its captain and copilot were found to have injuries and were transported to hospital”.</p>

<h2><strong>What happened on Flydubai flight?</strong></h2><p>According to an AFP report, citing a passenger on board the flight, one of the pilots attacked his co-pilot and tried to crash the plane to carry out a “suicide attack”. Passenger Miryam Shira Ohayon said that the aircraft was “pretty much out of control” when the stabbing happened over Jordan.&nbsp;</p><p>“The co-pilot tried to murder the pilot and basically carry out a suicide attack on the plane,” she told reporters via a speakerphone held up by her mother at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv.</p><p>Flightradar website data showed that the aircraft suddenly lost altitude mid-flight, dropping from nearly 34,000 feet at 0521 GMT to less than 17,000 feet at 0522 GMT.</p><p>“It was really on the way to crashing, and it was simply the resourcefulness of many people who took control of the co-pilot and neutralised him,” she added.</p><h2><strong>‘Terrorist’ wanted to crash plane</strong></h2><p>Israel’s far-right national security minister said that the emergency landing of the Tel Aviv-bound plane was due to a “terrorist” who wanted to crash the plane and kill Israelis onboard.</p><p>“The naive notion that our enemies cherish life and that we should pity them received another reminder this morning in the form of a terrorist who planned to crash a plane and murder the 180 Israelis on board,” Itamar Ben Gvir said in a statement.</p><p><i><strong>Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the videos or the claims.</strong></i></p>

Passengers erupted in cheers and applause as a Flydubai plane landed safely in Saudi Arabia after a hijack scare on board, with footage capturing the tense moment turning into relief.

Following a hijacking scare aboard a Flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Israel on Wednesday (Sep 30), the plane made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. According to reports, one of the pilots tried to hijack the aircraft with the intention of crashing it. He also attacked the other pilot. Following the chaos on board, the Boeing 737 MAX safely landed in Saudi Arabia. A video taken by a passenger aboard the plane emerged on social media, showing people clapping and cheering as the flight landed.

<p>Passengers erupted in cheers and applause as a Flydubai plane landed safely in Saudi Arabia after a hijack scare on board, with footage capturing the tense moment turning into relief.</p>

WATCH | Passengers clap, cheer as Flydubai plane lands in Saudi after hijack scare

<p>Israeli media outlets Channel 12 and Ynet claimed in report citing unnamed officials that there is a terror angle to the Flydubai pilot altercation incident. The outlet said that the emergency involving a Flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv may have been an attempted terror attack. However, authorities have not reached a definitive conclusion. The Flydubai aircraft landed in Saudi Arabia following a violent altercation in the cockpit. Channel 12 reported that intensive discussions are currently underway in Israel over the incident. Unconfirmed reports in Hebrew-language media claim that the co-pilot, an Omani national, is being questioned by Saudi authorities after allegedly stabbing the Emirati captain and attempting to crash the aircraft. At the time of writing this report, there has been no official statement so far from Israeli, Saudi or Emirati authorities confirming the circumstances surrounding the incident.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read: F</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/flydubai-hijacking-scare-plane-dipped-as-pilots-fought-stabbing-claims-emerge-1790761298937"><strong>lydubai hijacking scare: Pilot altercation, two signals, steep plunge, stabbing claims - What we know</strong></a></p><h2>Here's what happened on the Dubai-Tel Aviv flight</h2><p>A Flydubai aircraft travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv experienced a major emergency after an altercation reportedly broke out between the pilots. An Israeli official said the pilot attempted to hijack the aircraft with the intention of crashing it and attacked his co-pilot, causing the plane to descend sharply. The aircraft initially transmitted Squawk code 7700, the international emergency code for a general emergency, before switching to 7500, which indicates unlawful interference. The aircraft later returned to the 7700 emergency code.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Amid the chaos on board, the Boeing 737 MAX diverted and made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The Israeli official told The Jerusalem Post a ‘major disaster was narrowly avoided’ after passengers reportedly managed to subdue the pilot. The incident was serious enough to prompt Israel to scramble fighter jets, according to reports.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz also held an urgent discussion on the situation. Israeli airspace was temporarily closed as authorities responded to the unfolding emergency. However, several key details remain unconfirmed, and there has been no official account from Israeli, Saudi or Emirati authorities establishing whether the incident was an attempted terror attack or a hijacking attempt.</p><h2>Disclaimer</h2><p>WION cannot independently verify these claims.</p>

Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv diverted to Saudi Arabia after a cockpit altercation. Reports examine a possible hijacking or terror attack

Israeli media outlets Channel 12 and Ynet claimed in report citing unnamed officials that there is a terror angle to the Flydubai pilot altercation incident. The outlet said that the emergency involving a Flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv may have been an attempted terror attack. However, authorities have not reached a definitive conclusion. The Flydubai aircraft landed in Saudi Arabia following a violent altercation in the cockpit. Channel 12 reported that intensive discussions are currently underway in Israel over the incident. Unconfirmed reports in Hebrew-language media claim that the co-pilot, an Omani national, is being questioned by Saudi authorities after allegedly stabbing the Emirati captain and attempting to crash the aircraft. At the time of writing this report, there has been no official statement so far from Israeli, Saudi or Emirati authorities confirming the circumstances surrounding the incident. Also Read: Flydubai hijacking scare: Pilot altercation, two signals, steep plunge, stabbing claims - What we know Here's what happened on the Dubai-Tel Aviv flight A Flydubai aircraft travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv experienced a major emergency after an altercation reportedly broke out between the pilots. An Israeli official said the pilot attempted to hijack the aircraft with the intention of crashing it and attacked his co-pilot, causing the plane to descend sharply. The aircraft initially transmitted Squawk code 7700, the international emergency code for a general emergency, before switching to 7500, which indicates unlawful interference. The aircraft later returned to the 7700 emergency code. Amid the chaos on board, the Boeing 737 MAX diverted and made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The Israeli official told The Jerusalem Post a ‘major disaster was narrowly avoided’ after passengers reportedly managed to subdue the pilot. The incident was serious enough to prompt Israel to scramble fighter jets, according to reports. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz also held an urgent discussion on the situation. Israeli airspace was temporarily closed as authorities responded to the unfolding emergency. However, several key details remain unconfirmed, and there has been no official account from Israeli, Saudi or Emirati authorities establishing whether the incident was an attempted terror attack or a hijacking attempt. Disclaimer WION cannot independently verify these claims.

<p>Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv lands in Saudi Arabia after cockpit altercation, amid reports of a possible hijacking or terror attack</p>

Flydubai Dubai-Tel Aviv flight: Terror attack or cockpit altercation? Here's what Israeli media claims

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