1 hr ago
Indian Captain Helps Avert Suspected Attack on Tel Aviv-Bound Flight
A Flydubai plane was flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv when something went wrong in the cockpit.
Reports say the co-pilot attacked the captain with a knife.
The plane then lost a lot of altitude and sent emergency signals.
Some passengers and crew members rushed to the cockpit to help.
They reportedly stopped the co-pilot from taking control of the plane.
Other pilots on board helped fly the aircraft safely.
The plane landed in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, instead of Tel Aviv.
Both pilots were hurt, but the passengers and crew survived.
Israeli officials called it a possible terrorist attack, while Flydubai said the cause was still being investigated.
Reports identify Flydubai captain Smit Machchhar as an Indian national and former SpiceJet pilot.
The co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain and attempted to interfere with the aircraft’s controls during Flight FZ1073.
Passengers and crew members reportedly restrained the co-pilot while other pilots helped stabilize the aircraft.
The Boeing 737 MAX transmitted emergency codes, descended sharply and diverted from Tel Aviv to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
All passengers and crew survived, but both pilots were injured; the motive and circumstances remain under investigation.
- Who
- The reported participants were Indian captain Smit Machchhar, an unnamed co-pilot reportedly of Omani nationality, passengers and Flydubai crew members.
- What
- An alleged cockpit stabbing and attempt to interfere with the controls caused Flight FZ1073 to issue emergency signals, descend sharply and divert.
- Where
- The flight departed Dubai for Tel Aviv and landed at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia.
- When
- The incident occurred on a Wednesday; one article dates it to September 30.
- Why
- The motive is not established. Israeli officials described the event as an attempted terrorist attack, while Flydubai said the underlying reasons remained subject to investigation.
Israeli Officials' Characterization
Cautious Investigative Account
Nature of the incident
Israeli Officials' Characterization
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz described the event as an attempted terrorist or jihadist attack in which one pilot allegedly tried to crash the aircraft.
Cautious Investigative Account
Flydubai called it an in-flight incident and said the reasons and motives were unknown and subject to a formal investigation.
Role of the passengers
Israeli Officials' Characterization
Israeli officials and passenger accounts credited Israeli passengers with breaking into the cockpit and overpowering the alleged attacker.
Cautious Investigative Account
Flydubai emphasized that on-duty Flydubai crew members travelling on the aircraft secured the aircraft and landed it safely; reports also described assistance from passengers and other pilots.
Pilot identities
Israeli Officials' Characterization
Media reports identified the captain as Indian pilot Smit Machchhar and the co-pilot as an Omani national.
Cautious Investigative Account
Flydubai said it had not released the pilots' identities or nationalities, and the captain's identification had not been officially confirmed.
Key facts
- Flight
- Flydubai FZ1073
- Aircraft
- Boeing 737 MAX, according to reports and BBC Verify
- Reported passenger count
- Articles cited either 174 passengers, including 27 children, or approximately 180 people
- Emergency codes
- The aircraft transmitted 7700 and later 7500, the latter indicating possible unlawful interference
- Diversion airport
- Tabuk Airport, Saudi Arabia
- Captain's reported experience
- Approximately 9,750 Boeing 737 flight hours; previously worked for SpiceJet for about 11 years
- Casualties
- Both pilots were injured and taken to hospital; all passengers and crew were reported safe
Quotes
Benjamin Netanyahu
Prime Minister of Israel
“was a jihadist terrorist attack attempt, which was thwarted only thanks to the bravery of several Israeli passengers who broke into the cockpit and overpowered the terrorist”
telegraphindia.com
“I salute these heroes who demonstrated extraordinary resourcefulness and courage. They saved many lives and prevented a major disaster”
telegraphindia.com
Flydubai
Airline operating the flight
“The aircraft was successfully secured by on-duty flydubai crew travelling on the flight, who diverted and landed the aircraft safely at Tabuk Airport (TUU). All passengers and crew are safe and accounted for”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
Related news
Indian Captain at Center of Flydubai Mid-Air Emergency
Flydubai Flight Diverted After Cockpit Attack, Possible Terror Probe
Indian Flydubai Pilot Helped Stop Alleged Mid-Air Crash Attempt
Flydubai Flight Diverts After Cockpit Fight and Hijack Scare
Passengers Subdue Co-Pilot After Flydubai Flight Plunges Toward Saudi Arabia
Flydubai Flight Makes Emergency Landing After Cockpit Confrontation
Netanyahu Says Pilot Stabbed Colleague, Tried to Crash FlyDubai
