Archive · 2 Oct 2026
Passenger Credits Air Crash Investigation After FlyDubai Cockpit Incident
A FlyDubai plane was flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv when a serious cockpit attack reportedly happened.
The co-pilot allegedly stabbed Captain Smit Machchhar.
The plane quickly dropped thousands of feet and sent a distress signal.
Passenger Yaniv Hayun and other passengers helped restrain the co-pilot.
Hayun said the injured captain opened the cockpit door before collapsing.
Hayun then helped pull up the controls with another crew member.
He said he remembered how to do this from the television show Air Crash Investigation.
The plane eventually landed safely in Saudi Arabia, and the show is available in India on JioHotstar.
FlyDubai flight FZ1073 was carrying more than 170 people from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
The co-pilot allegedly stabbed Captain Smit Machchhar during an attempted attack in the cockpit.
The aircraft descended about 16,000 feet in two minutes before a hijacking distress signal was transmitted.
Passenger Yaniv Hayun and three other Israelis reportedly subdued the co-pilot and helped stabilize the plane.
Hayun said he learned how to stabilize a nose-diving aircraft from Air Crash Investigation, available in India on JioHotstar.
- Who
- Captain Smit Machchhar, passenger Yaniv Hayun, three other Israeli passengers, and the unnamed co-pilot were involved.
- What
- FlyDubai flight FZ1073 experienced an alleged cockpit attack, a steep descent, and an emergency landing.
- When
- The incident occurred on a Wednesday; the articles do not provide a specific date.
- Where
- The flight was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv and landed in Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- The co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain in an attempt to crash the aircraft.
- Flight
- FlyDubai FZ1073
- Route
- Dubai to Tel Aviv
- Passengers aboard
- More than 170 people
- Aircraft descent
- About 16,000 feet in two minutes
- Passenger credited with assistance
- Yaniv Hayun
- Television show
- Air Crash Investigation, also known as Mayday
- Indian streaming platform
- JioHotstar