Archive · 3 Oct 2026
Flydubai Cockpit Attack Spurs Probe and Regional Travel Disruption
A Flydubai plane was flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv when the co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain.
The captain, Smit Machchhar, was badly hurt but managed to open the cockpit door.
Passengers then helped restrain the co-pilot, while two other pilots took control of the plane.
The aircraft dropped sharply before landing safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Reports differ on whether 174 or 182 people were aboard and on the exact details of the descent.
Israeli officials called the attack terrorism with jihadist features, but investigators had not confirmed why it happened or whether anyone else was involved.
The co-pilot’s name had not been made public.
Flights between the UAE and Israel were disrupted, and repatriation flights were arranged for stranded travelers.
An Omani co-pilot allegedly stabbed Indian captain Smit Machchhar aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073, which was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
Machchhar opened the cockpit door despite his injuries; passengers restrained the co-pilot, and additional pilots took control.
The plane made a sharp descent and landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia; reports give different passenger totals and descent details.
Israeli officials characterized the attack as having jihadist or terrorist features, but the motive, any wider involvement and the suspect’s identity were not publicly confirmed.
Flights between the UAE and Israel were suspended or canceled, and repatriation flights began as authorities investigated and officials discussed protecting bilateral ties.
- Who
- An Omani co-pilot is accused of attacking Indian captain Smit Machchhar; passengers and two additional pilots helped during the emergency.
- What
- The co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain, the plane descended sharply, and the aircraft made an emergency landing.
- When
- Wednesday; reports and investigations continued through Friday.
- Where
- The flight traveled from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, toward Tel Aviv, Israel, and landed in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- The motive has not been established. Israeli officials alleged terrorist or jihadist characteristics, while investigators continued examining possible motives and outside involvement.
Israeli Officials’ Terror Assessment
Unresolved Investigation
Character of the attack
Israeli Officials’ Terror Assessment
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and other Israeli officials described the incident as a terror attempt with jihadist characteristics. Benjamin Netanyahu said the co-pilot appeared to have undergone Islamist radicalization.
Unresolved Investigation
Israeli envoy Yossi Shelley said it was too early for conclusions, and investigators had not established a motive or made final findings. The UAE said its probe would examine possible terrorism as well as planning or direction.
Motive and possible outside involvement
Israeli Officials’ Terror Assessment
Sa’ar said the apparent aims included killing Israelis and damaging Israel-UAE relations. Netanyahu said investigators were examining whether the co-pilot had been sent, and Donald Trump said early information suggested possible links to Tehran.
Unresolved Investigation
Sa’ar said there was not enough information to identify who was behind the attack. A reported assessment said there was no current evidence of an Iran link, and officials had not confirmed whether the suspect acted alone or intended to crash the plane.
Co-pilot’s reported behavior
Israeli Officials’ Terror Assessment
A purported colleague told Israeli media that the co-pilot prayed frequently and refused to shake hands with women; Netanyahu cited alleged Islamist radicalization.
Unresolved Investigation
The colleague’s account was not independently verified, and Netanyahu cautioned that he was not drawing a final conclusion.
- Flight
- Flydubai Flight FZ1073, also referred to as flight 1073
- Route
- Dubai to Tel Aviv; diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
- People aboard
- Reports differ: one gives 174, while another says 182
- Suspect
- Identified by Israeli officials as an Omani national; name not publicly disclosed
- Captain
- Indian pilot Smit Machchhar was seriously injured and reported to be recovering
- Investigation
- UAE authorities ordered an investigation into the circumstances and motives; Israeli investigators were also involved
- Travel disruption
- Reports described UAE-Israel commercial flights as suspended or canceled; repatriation flights began Friday
Sources
Flydubai attack: Copilot’s identity, motive remain unknown after flight escapes disaster
Flydubai FZ1073 incident: What we know about co-pilot who attacked Indian captain Smit Machchhar
Co-Pilot Who Tried To Crash flydubai Plane Is Omani National: Israel Foreign Minister To NDTV