Archive · 3 Oct 2026
Flydubai Co-pilot Under Scrutiny After Cockpit Emergency
A Flydubai plane was flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv when a serious struggle happened in the cockpit.
The plane quickly lost altitude, and an emergency alert was sent.
The captain fought back and managed to open the cockpit door.
Crew members, passengers and two pilots who were not working that flight helped control the plane.
It landed in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, and everyone on board got off safely.
Authorities are investigating whether the co-pilot’s alleged attack was deliberate.
Reports also describe earlier concerns about the co-pilot’s online activity and flying duties.
Posts with cockpit video and images of al-Qaeda figures appeared on a LinkedIn account linked to him, but it is not known who posted them.
A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after a cockpit struggle on September 30.
The aircraft plunged about 16,000 feet in two minutes, but the captain, crew, passengers and two off-duty pilots helped regain control.
All 180 people aboard safely disembarked after the plane landed.
Sources told media outlets that the co-pilot had previously been moved off flying duties at Oman Air over concerns about extremist views and online activity.
Two posts featuring cockpit footage and images of al-Qaeda figures appeared on a LinkedIn account attributed to the co-pilot, though it is unclear who authored or scheduled them.
- Who
- A Flydubai co-pilot allegedly struggled with Captain Machchhar aboard a flight carrying 180 people.
- What
- A cockpit emergency led to a steep loss of altitude and an unscheduled landing; authorities are investigating whether the alleged assault was deliberate.
- When
- September 30; the article does not specify the year.
- Where
- The flight was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv and landed in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- The motive is under investigation; authorities are probing whether the alleged assault was a deliberate act of terror.
- Airline
- Flydubai
- Flight route
- Dubai to Tel Aviv
- Incident date
- September 30; year not specified
- Reported altitude loss
- About 16,000 feet in two minutes
- Emergency landing
- Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
- People aboard
- 180; all safely disembarked
- LinkedIn posts
- Two posts appeared about nine hours after the emergency; their authorship and scheduling status are uncertain.