Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Passenger Describes Flydubai Flight’s Terrifying Midair Cockpit Emergency
A flydubai plane was flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv with more than 170 passengers.
Near Jordan’s border, the plane suddenly dropped very quickly.
Passenger Almog Italie said it felt like a frightening roller coaster.
The report says a co-pilot attacked the captain in the cockpit.
Passengers and crew members rushed forward to help.
One passenger pulled the attacker away from the cockpit.
A dentist helped the injured captain.
Other pilots took control of the plane and landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Italie called the captain and the passengers who helped heroes.
Almog Italie said a flydubai Boeing 737 suddenly descended steeply for about 30 seconds near Jordan’s border.
The aircraft was carrying more than 170 passengers on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
The report says an Omani co-pilot allegedly tried to sabotage the aircraft and stabbed Captain Smit Machchhar.
Passengers, crew members, and a dentist helped restrain the attacker and provide medical assistance to the captain.
Relief pilots took control and diverted the aircraft to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.
- Who
- Passenger Almog Italie, Captain Smit Machchhar, the flight crew, passengers, and an Omani co-pilot were involved.
- What
- A flydubai aircraft experienced a steep descent after an alleged cockpit attack, but was safely diverted and landed.
- When
- The incident occurred during a Wednesday flight; the report does not provide a specific date.
- Where
- The flight was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, and the emergency occurred near Jordan’s border before the aircraft landed in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- The report says the Omani co-pilot allegedly tried to sabotage the aircraft and attacked the captain.
- Airline
- flydubai
- Aircraft
- Boeing 737
- Route
- Dubai to Tel Aviv
- Passengers
- More than 170
- Descent
- Approximately 23,000 feet per minute, from about 34,000 feet to roughly 15,600 feet
- Emergency landing
- Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
- Reported captain
- Smit Machchhar