Archive · 2 Oct 2026
Omani Co-Pilot Handed to UAE After Flydubai Cockpit Attack
An Omani co-pilot is accused of attacking the captain on a Flydubai airplane.
The plane was flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
Captain Smit Machchhar was hurt during the struggle.
Passengers and other pilots helped stop the co-pilot.
The airplane changed direction and landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Saudi officials arrested the co-pilot and later gave him to authorities in the United Arab Emirates.
Machchhar was taken to a hospital in Abu Dhabi and is recovering.
Investigators are trying to learn why the attack happened.
Some officials have suggested terrorism or links to Iran, but those claims have not been proven.
Saudi Arabia handed an Omani co-pilot to UAE authorities after he allegedly assaulted Captain Smit Machchhar aboard a Flydubai flight.
The Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, and landed safely after passengers and pilots subdued the co-pilot.
Reports differ on the aircraft’s occupancy, citing either 174 passengers or about 180 people onboard.
Machchhar suffered injuries and was transferred to an Abu Dhabi hospital, where India’s ambassador said he was recovering well.
UAE prosecutors are investigating the cockpit assault, the suspect’s motive, possible terrorism links and whether he intended to crash the aircraft.
- Who
- An Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked Indian captain Smit Machchhar; passengers and pilots helped secure the aircraft.
- What
- The co-pilot allegedly assaulted the captain and attempted to interfere with or take control of the aircraft.
- When
- The aircraft landed in Tabuk on Wednesday, and the pilots and suspect were transferred to the UAE on Thursday morning.
- Where
- The alleged assault occurred in the cockpit during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv; the plane diverted to Tabuk and Machchhar was treated in Abu Dhabi.
- Why
- The motive has not been established; UAE investigators are examining possible security, terrorism and other explanations.
Reported Account
Claims Under Investigation
Nature of the cockpit incident
Reported Account
Reports say the co-pilot attacked Machchhar, possibly with an emergency axe or knife, and tried to damage or control the aircraft.
Claims Under Investigation
Authorities have not publicly established every detail, including the exact weapon used, how the controls were damaged or whether the co-pilot intended to crash the plane.
Possible motive and connections
Reported Account
Israel’s defense minister described the incident as an attempted jihadist terror attack, and US President Donald Trump suggested a possible connection to Iran.
Claims Under Investigation
The UAE is still investigating the motive; other reports say it remains too early to determine Iranian involvement or whether the suspect acted independently.
Who recovered control of the aircraft
Reported Account
One account says passengers entered the cockpit and off-duty pilots traveling onboard helped divert and land the aircraft.
Claims Under Investigation
Another account says two on-duty pilots took control after the struggle; reports agree that the aircraft ultimately landed safely in Tabuk.
- Flight
- Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv
- Aircraft
- Boeing 737 MAX
- Reported occupancy
- Reports cite 174 passengers, including 170 Israelis, while another account says about 180 people were onboard
- Diversion
- The aircraft landed safely in Tabuk, northwestern Saudi Arabia
- Captain’s condition
- India’s ambassador said Smit Machchhar was stable, in good health and recovering well in an Abu Dhabi hospital
- Suspect’s status
- Saudi Arabia detained and questioned the co-pilot before transferring him to UAE authorities
- Investigation
- A specialized UAE prosecution team is investigating the assault, motive, cockpit events and possible security or terrorism links
