Flydubai Flight Diverts to Saudi Arabia After Cockpit Stabbing

Flydubai Flight FZ1073, flying Dubai to Tel Aviv with about 175 passengers, made an emergency landing at Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after a cockpit altercation in which the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain. The aircraft descended on the order of 14,000 to 18,000 feet, issued an unlawful interference signal, then was brought under control; a passenger and a crew member restrained the alleged attacker, and other pilots aboard—including a second team in civilian clothes, per Channel 12—landed the plane. Both pilots were injured and treated. All passengers and crew were reported safe. Saudi authorities arrested the suspect and began interrogation. Indian Captain Smit Machchhar, based in Dubai, was identified as the stabbed pilot. A flydubai rescue flight later went from Saudi Arabia to Ben Gurion Airport.

Benjamin Netanyahu called the episode "an extremely serious security incident," said evidence showed a pilot stabbed his fellow pilot and tried to crash the aircraft, and credited an Israeli passenger and crew with stopping damage to the plane’s systems. He met National Security Adviser Shmuel Ben Ezra and Military Secretary Maj Gen Guy Markizeno. Defense Minister Israel Katz called it an "attempted jihadist terrorist attack thwarted only through the bravery of several Israeli passengers" and said "The terrorist had one intention: to crash the aircraft with everyone on board."

Flydubai confirmed an in-flight incident. Who initiated the violence, the exact descent figure, and motive remain under investigation.

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