Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian pilot, was stabbed by a copilot aboard FlyDubai flight FZ1073 on Wednesday while the aircraft was en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv, prompting an emergency diversion to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
The Boeing 737 MAX was carrying approximately 174 passengers when the incident occurred roughly two hours after departure. Flight tracking data showed the aircraft descending abruptly from nearly 34,000 feet to below 17,000 feet within one minute. The crew transmitted a general emergency distress signal at 08:44 local time, followed by a hijacking alert code. The aircraft landed safely at Tabuk Airport at 09:45 local time.
During the cockpit altercation, the copilot stabbed Captain Machchhar with a knife. The pilot opened the cockpit door, and passengers rushed in to intervene. They overpowered the assailant, allowing Captain Machchhar to maintain control of the aircraft and complete the emergency landing. All 174 passengers, including 166 Israeli nationals, remained unharmed.
The incident triggered significant alarm among Israeli authorities. Contact with the aircraft was briefly lost, raising concerns about a possible hijacking. The Israeli Air Force scrambled fighter jets to intercept the plane near the Jordan-Saudi Arabia border. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and military leadership held emergency consultations during the crisis. Contact was later restored, and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant characterized the incident as an attempted attack thwarted by passengers. The Israeli government's spokesman stated the event was not a hijacking.
Captain Machchhar was hospitalized in Tabuk with stab wounds. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called him a "hero" in a post on X, stating: "Faced with a terrible threat and despite being grievously injured, he did not hesitate and displayed extraordinary courage and resolve to save the lives of others. His bravery helped protect hundreds of lives and avert a major tragedy."
India's Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Deepak Mittal, visited Captain Machchhar's family in Dubai on Thursday. According to Indian media reports, the captain was airlifted to the United Arab Emirates on Thursday. The Indian embassy stated he is "in good health and recovering well" and said it remains in close coordination with local authorities to ensure his continued medical care.
The motive for the alleged attack remains unclear, and authorities have not yet released additional details regarding the investigation or the status of the copilot. The U.S. Justice Department said it was coordinating closely with foreign counterparts regarding the incident. Israeli authorities ordered heightened security measures on flights following the incident.