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Smit Machchhar

2026-10-01T06:39:27Z

2001:67C:2660:425:5:2202:0:4A:

{{Short description|Indian commercial airline pilot}}

{{Infobox person
| name = Smit Machchhar
| image = Smit Machchhar.png
| occupation = Airline pilot
| employer = [[Flydubai]]
| years_active = 2011–present
}}

'''Smit Machchhar''' is an Indian commercial airline pilot and captain with [[Flydubai]]. He previously worked for [[SpiceJet]], where he served as a senior commander and line training captain. He joined flydubai in June 2022 as a direct-entry captain and has flown [[Boeing 737]] aircraft.<ref name="HT">{{cite news |title=Stabbed flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar is Indian national, worked with SpiceJet earlier |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/stabbed-flydubai-pilot-indian-national-smit-machchhar-was-former-spicejet-employee-dubai-tel-aviv-saudi-101790775056727.html |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |date=30 September 2026}}</ref>

On 30 September 2026, Machchhar was the captain of [[Flydubai Flight 1073]], which was diverted to [[Tabuk]], Saudi Arabia, after an altercation between the two pilots during a flight from [[Dubai]] to [[Tel Aviv]]. Machchhar was injured during the incident and was taken to hospital after the aircraft landed.<ref name="IE">{{cite news |title=Flydubai pilot stabbed in cockpit is Indian, flew with SpiceJet for 11 years before joining Dubai airline |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/business/aviation/flydubai-flight-indian-pilot-smit-machchhar-stabbed-copilot-tabuk-emergency-landing-10901221/ |work=[[The Indian Express]] |date=30 September 2026}}</ref>

==Early life and education==

[[File:Smit Machchhar (in flight).jpeg|thumb|220px|right]]

Machchhar is of Gujarati origin and is from [[Mumbai]].<ref name="HT"/><ref name="Outlook">{{cite news |title=Flydubai FZ1073: Indian National Captain Smit Machchhar Identified As Pilot Stabbed In Cockpit Incident |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/international/flydubai-fz1073-indian-national-captain-smit-machchhar-identified-as-pilot-stabbed-in-cockpit-incident |work=[[Outlook India]] |date=30 September 2026}}</ref>

He studied [[business administration]] at the [[Welingkar Institute of Management]] from June 2007 to April 2008 and received a bachelor's degree in the subject.<ref name="HT"/>

==Flying career==

Machchhar joined [[SpiceJet]] in June 2011 and worked for the airline for about 11 years. He was based in Mumbai and became a senior commander. In November 2020, he became a line training captain, a position in which he trained and checked other pilots.<ref name="HT"/><ref name="TOI">{{cite news |title=Flydubai flight drama: How Indian pilot Smit Machchhar stopped Omani co-pilot from crashing plane |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/flydubai-flight-drama-how-indian-pilot-smit-machchhar-stopped-omani-co-pilot-from-crashing-plane/articleshow/134597514.cms |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=30 September 2026}}</ref>

His work at SpiceJet included pilot training and mentoring, pilot assessment, [[crew resource management]], flight standards and compliance, and operations involving Boeing 737 aircraft.<ref name="HT"/><ref name="TOI"/>

During his time at SpiceJet, Machchhar logged more than 9,500 hours of flying, including more than 6,400 hours as pilot in command.<ref name="HT"/><ref name="BT">{{cite news |title=Smit Machchhar: Former SpiceJet pilot at the centre of flydubai mid-air emergency |url=https://www.businesstoday.in/india/story/smit-machchhar-former-spicejet-pilot-at-the-centre-of-flydubai-mid-air-emergency-558914-2026-09-30 |work=[[Business Today (India)|Business Today]] |date=30 September 2026}}</ref>

Machchhar joined [[Flydubai]] in June 2022 as a direct-entry captain. He has flown the airline's Boeing 737 fleet, including the 737-800 and [[Boeing 737 MAX]] 8 and 9. By September 2026, his flying experience was reported as about 9,750 hours and more than 13 years of commercial aviation experience.<ref name="HT"/><ref name="Week">{{cite news |title=Who is Smit Machchhar? Hero Indian flydubai captain was former SpiceJet pilot, has 9,750 flying hours on Boeing aircraft |url=https://www.theweek.in/news/middle-east/2026/09/30/smit-machchhar-flydubai-pilot-spiceject-hijack-scare-israel-uae-saudi.html |work=[[The Week]] |date=30 September 2026}}</ref>

Machchhar's work has included mentoring and assessing pilots, with responsibilities related to flight standards, compliance and operations. He had also expressed an interest in moving into pilot training at flydubai.<ref name="BT"/>

==Flydubai Flight 1073 incident==

{{main|Flydubai Flight 1073}}

On 30 September 2026, Machchhar was the pilot in command of Flydubai Flight FZ1073, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 operating from [[Dubai International Airport]] to [[Ben Gurion Airport]] in [[Tel Aviv]]. The aircraft was registered as A6-FKF.<ref name="BT"/>

More than two hours into the flight, an altercation occurred between Machchhar and the other pilot in the flight deck. The aircraft subsequently transmitted emergency signals and entered a rapid descent. Flight-tracking data reported that it lost about 14,300 feet in 37 seconds, falling from an altitude of about 34,000 feet before the aircraft diverted towards Saudi Arabia.<ref name="HT"/><ref name="BT"/>

The aircraft initially transmitted the international emergency transponder code 7700 and subsequently transmitted 7500, the code associated with unlawful interference.<ref name="BT"/><ref name="Reuters">{{cite news |title=A pilot brawl, then a rapid descent: passengers recount chaos on flydubai flight |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/pilot-brawl-then-rapid-descent-passengers-recount-chaos-flydubai-flight-2026-09-30/ |work=[[Reuters]] |date=30 September 2026}}</ref>

Machchhar was stabbed during the confrontation. The aircraft was diverted to Tabuk Airport in north-western Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely. Both pilots were taken to hospital after the landing, and Machchhar underwent surgery for his injuries. He was later reported to be in stable condition.<ref name="HT"/><ref name="i24">{{cite news |title=Flydubai Pilot Smit Machchhar Undergoes Surgery After Cockpit Stabbing |url=https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/artc-flydubai-pilot-smit-machchhar-undergoes-surgery-after-cockpit-stabbing |work=[[i24NEWS]] |date=30 September 2026 |access-date=30 September 2026}}</ref>

The other pilot was identified in Israeli and Indian reports as an Omani national. Israeli officials said that he attacked Machchhar and attempted to take control of the aircraft. According to accounts reported by Reuters and the [[Associated Press]], passengers and a crew member entered the cockpit after the aircraft began its rapid descent and subdued the other pilot. Other pilots travelling on the flight subsequently helped operate the aircraft until it landed in Tabuk.<ref name="Reuters"/><ref name="AP">{{cite news |title=What to know about the terrifying FlyDubai flight forced to land in Saudi Arabia |url=https://apnews.com/article/a71ea8173678705fb1895539b6e4eb24 |work=[[Associated Press]] |date=30 September 2026}}</ref>

Reports from the incident said that Machchhar, despite his injuries, helped regain access to the cockpit after the confrontation. Passengers and crew members then helped restrain the other pilot. The sequence of events inside the cockpit was not immediately established in full.<ref name="jpost">{{cite news |last=Zanger-Shamir |first=Maya |title=Flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar reportedly aided rescue efforts while wounded |url=https://www.jpost.com/international/article-910230 |work=[[The Jerusalem Post]] |date=30 September 2026 |access-date=30 September 2026}}</ref><ref name="cnn">{{cite news |title=Flydubai latest: Hero passenger says he put attacker in a chokehold after cockpit struggle |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2026/09/30/world/live-news/dubai-israel-plane-flydubai-intl |work=[[CNN]] |date=30 September 2026 |access-date=30 September 2026}}</ref>

Flydubai described the event as an incident that occurred while the aircraft was en route and said that the circumstances were subject to investigation.<ref name="BT"/>

Israeli officials subsequently said that they were investigating the possibility that the other pilot had deliberately attempted to crash the aircraft. An Israeli official initially told Reuters that the incident was not believed to be a conventional hijacking. The motive for the confrontation remained unclear in the initial investigation.<ref name="Reuters"/><ref name="TOI2">{{cite news |title=Flydubai flight scare: Was it a terror plot? What we know and don't know |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/flydubai-flight-scare-was-it-a-terror-plot-what-we-know-and-dont-know/amp_articleshow/134598874.cms |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=30 September 2026}}</ref>

The flight diverted to [[Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Airport]] in Tabuk. Both pilots were hospitalised in Saudi Arabia, and Machchhar underwent surgery for his injuries. The Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia said that he was receiving treatment in Tabuk and was in stable condition.<ref name="i24"/>

Passengers were later flown to Israel on a replacement Flydubai aircraft.<ref name="kan">{{cite news |last=Blumenthal |first=Itay |title=אחרי שעות מורטות עצבים: נוסעי "פליי דובאי" שבו ארצה |url=https://www.kan.org.il/content/kan-news/defense/1104562/ |work=Kan News |language=he |date=30 September 2026}}</ref>

Israeli Prime Minister [[Benjamin Netanyahu]] subsequently described Machchhar as a "true hero" and said that he had saved 174 lives. The comments were made while the circumstances of the incident were still under investigation.<ref name="bbc">{{cite news |title='Hero' pilot stabbed by other pilot on Israel-bound plane, Israeli PM says |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cqgmrm7xd8wyo |work=[[BBC News]] |date=30 September 2026 |access-date=30 September 2026}}</ref><ref name="cnn"/>

The aircraft carried more than 170 passengers and crew members. All passengers and crew were accounted for after the aircraft landed in Tabuk.<ref name="Reuters"/><ref name="AP"/>

==References==

{{reflist}}

[[Category:Indian aviators]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Flydubai people]]
[[Category:SpiceJet people]]

Flydubai Flight 1073

2026-10-01T06:38:04Z

2001:67C:2660:425:5:2202:0:4A:

{{Short description|2026 aviation incident in Saudi Arabia}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2026}}
{{Current event|date=September 2026}}
{{Infobox aircraft occurrence
| date = {{Start date|2026|09|30|df=y}}
| image = A6-FMP @ DXB, 2022-03-25.jpg
| caption = A [[Boeing 737 MAX 8]] operated by [[Flydubai]], similar to the aircraft involved
| summary = Attempted [[aircraft hijacking|hijacking]] resulting in diversion;<br>
under investigation
| site = Saudi Arabian airspace, near the Jordanian border
| aircraft_type = [[Boeing 737 MAX 8]]
| operator = [[Flydubai]]
| tail_number = A6-FKF
| IATA = FZ1073
| ICAO = FDB1073
| callsign = SKYDUBAI 1073
| origin = [[Dubai International Airport]], Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| destination = [[Ben Gurion Airport]], Tel Aviv, Israel
| occupants = 180
| passengers = 174
| crew = 6
| fatalities = 0
| injuries = 6+
| survivors = 180
}}
'''Flydubai Flight 1073''' was a regularly scheduled international passenger flight operated by [[Flydubai]] from [[Dubai International Airport]] in the [[United Arab Emirates]] to [[Ben Gurion Airport]] near [[Tel Aviv]], Israel. On 30 September 2026, the [[Boeing 737 MAX 8]] broadcasted the [[squawk code]] for [[Aircraft hijacking|hijacking]], diverted from its [[Airway (aviation)|flight path]], and made an emergency landing at [[Tabuk Airport]] in [[Tabuk, Saudi Arabia]].

According to passenger reports and the Israeli government, the first officer, an [[Omanis|Omani national]], stabbed the captain during the flight in an apparent attempt to [[Flight hijackings|hijack]] or crash the plane but was overwhelmed and restrained by passengers and crew. Other Flydubai pilots on board then landed the plane in Tabuk. The incident is currently under investigation by law enforcement agencies from several countries, including Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and the United States.<Ref name=jaiswal/><ref name=peled>{{citation|first=Anat|last=Peled|url=https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/flight-to-israel-makes-emergency-landing-in-saudi-arabia-7bf3bc34|access-date=1 October 2026|title=Pilot-on-Pilot Stabbing Forces Emergency Landing of Israel-Bound Plane - Netanyahu describes incident as apparent attempt to crash the plane loaded with Israeli passengers|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|date=30 September 2026}}</ref>

== Incident ==
The aircraft, a [[Boeing 737 MAX 8]] registered as A6-FKF,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hradecky |first=Simon |date=2026-09-30 |title=Accident: Flydubai B38M near Tabuk on Sep 30th 2026, fight in the cockpit, first officer under investigation for suspected suicide attempt |url=https://avherald.com/h?article=5423fa17 |access-date=2026-10-01 |website=The Aviation Herald}}</ref> departed from Dubai at 7:05 a.m. ([[Gulf Standard Time|GST]]) carrying 174 passengers, including 27 children, and 6 crew members.<ref name="ynet">{{cite news |last1=Ben Kimon |first1=Elisha |last2=Lifshitz-Kliger |first2=Iris |last3=Eichner |first3=Itamar |last4=Tamari |first4=Liran |title=מכות בין הטייסים: מטוס מדובאי לנתב"ג דיווח על חשש לחטיפה ונחת בסעודיה |trans-title=Fistfight between the pilots: A flight from Dubai to Ben Gurion Airport reported a suspected hijacking and landed in Saudi Arabia |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/sjc00c7q5gx |work=[[Ynet]] |date=30 September 2026 |language=he}}</ref> While flying near the [[Jordan–Saudi Arabia border]], the aircraft turned back into Saudi Arabian [[airspace]]. At around 9:21 a.m.,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-09-30 |title=What we know about stabbing on Flydubai flight to Israel |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cqjdv7pmj9dno |access-date=2026-09-30 |website=BBC|first=Henry|last=Moore |language=en-GB}}</ref> it rapidly descended from an altitude of approximately 34,000 feet to 17,000 feet in less than a minute.<ref name="zman2">{{cite news |date=30 September 2026 |title=תוך פחות מדקה המטוס צלל מגובה של 34 אלף רגל לכ־17 אלף רגל: כל מה שידוע עד כה על טיסת "פליי דובאי" |url=https://www.zman.co.il/live/728948/ |work=Zman Yisrael |language=he |trans-title=In less than a minute the plane dived from 34,000 feet to about 17,000 feet: Everything known so far about the Flydubai flight}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2026-09-30|title=What we know about the flydubai plane incident|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/what-we-know-about-the-flydubai-plane-incident/|access-date=2026-09-30|work=The Times of Israel|language=en-US|issn=0040-7909}}</ref> The plane briefly rose to 21,750 feet, before plunging back down to 15,000 feet. For the next hour, the aircraft remained close to that altitude.<ref name="toi2">{{Cite news |date=2026-09-30 |title=Copilot subdued after stabbing pilot in alleged attempt to crash plane full of Israelis |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/copilot-subdued-after-stabbing-pilot-in-alleged-attempt-to-crash-plane-full-of-israelis/ |access-date=2026-09-30 |work=The Times of Israel |language=en-US |issn=0040-7909}}</ref> Shortly after the initial descent, the aircraft's [[Transponder (aeronautics)|transponder]] broadcast [[squawk code]] 7700, indicating a general emergency, and shortly thereafter broadcast code 7500, which designates "unlawful interference" or a hijacking.<ref name="toi">{{cite news |last1=Fabian |first1=Emanuel |date=30 September 2026 |title=Hijacking ruled out as flydubai flight to Tel Aviv that declared emergency lands at Saudi airport |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/hijacking-ruled-out-as-flydubai-flight-to-tel-aviv-lands-at-saudi-airport/ |access-date=30 September 2026 |work=[[The Times of Israel]]}}</ref> Upon receiving the hijack code, the [[Israeli Air Force]] scrambled fighter jets.<ref name="toi2" />

Based on initial assessments, videos, and eyewitness accounts from passengers, it appears that a fight broke out between the two pilots, in which the [[First officer (aviation)|first officer]] stabbed the captain, Smit Machchhar, and allegedly attempted to crash or hijack the aircraft. He also allegedly attempted to damage the aircraft's [[flight instruments]].<ref name=":1" /> The captain managed to open the cockpit door after being wounded, allowing a group of three passengers to enter and overpower the first officer, who was put into a chokehold and removed from the cockpit by passenger Yaniv Hayun, a plumber with an aviation background. Hayun then took control of the aircraft and leveled it out, before one of two Flydubai pilots seated in the cabin (on board due to the risk of delays pushing the original crew beyond their permitted duty hours), took over; the other was initially in shock.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Klein |first=Zvika |date=2026-09-30 |title=Why were there two extra pilots aboard during the attempted flydubai hijacking? |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-910217 |access-date=2026-09-30 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Eichner |first=Itamar |date=2026-09-30 |title='I grabbed him, choked him and pulled the controls': Israeli recounts Flydubai cockpit fight |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/article/r1gry6qczx |access-date=2026-09-30 |work=Ynetglobal |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Man who helped subdue knife-wielding suspect aboard flight to Tel Aviv honored |url=https://abcnews.com/International/man-helped-subdue-knife-wielding-suspect-aboard-flight/story?id=136895802 |access-date=2026-09-30 |website=ABC News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2026-09-30 |title=Wounded flydubai pilot used 'last moments of his energy' to click open cockpit door so hijacker could be subdued |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/wounded-flydubai-pilot-used-last-moments-of-his-energy-to-click-open-cockpit-door-so-hijacker-could-be-subdued/ |access-date=2026-09-30 |work=The Times of Israel |language=en-US |issn=0040-7909}}</ref> The first officer was restrained after 20–25 minutes and was tied with wired [[headphones]], and the captain was treated by one of the passengers, who was a dentist.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2026-09-30 |title=Back in Israel, passengers say midair 'miracles' thwarted alleged attempt to crash plane |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/miracles-landing-in-israel-passengers-tout-mid-air-heroism-that-thwarted-apparent-hijack-attempt/ |access-date=2026-09-30 |work=The Times of Israel |language=en-US |issn=0040-7909}}</ref>

Israeli authorities were briefly unable to establish contact with the flight. Communication was restored shortly thereafter, and the plane landed safely at [[Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Airport]] in [[Tabuk, Saudi Arabia|Tabuk]], in northwestern Saudi Arabia.<ref name="zman2" /><ref name="toi" /> The airport said the crew{{which|date=September 2026}} declared an emergency at 8:44 a.m. and landed at 9:45 a.m. local time.<ref name="okaz2">{{cite news |title=مطار تبوك: مغادرة جميع ركاب «فلاي دبي» إلى وجهتهم على متن طائرة بديلة |url=https://www.okaz.com.sa/ampArticle/2268629 |work=[[Okaz]] |date=30 September 2026 |language=ar}}</ref> Both pilots were stabbed, with the captain in serious condition after sustaining deep cuts to the head and hands;<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 September 2026 |title='Head, Hands Sliced Open, Almost Severed In Two': Dentist Recalls Stabbed FlyDubai Pilot's Fight For Life |url=https://www.news18.com/amp/world/head-hands-sliced-open-almost-severed-in-two-dentist-recalls-stabbed-flydubai-pilots-fight-for-life-ws-l-10361828.html |access-date=1 October 2026 |work=News18}}</ref> but was later reported to be in stable condition.<Ref name=moore>{{citation|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cqgmrm7xd8wyo|first=Henry|last=Moore|work=[[BBC News]]|title='Hero' pilot stabbed by other pilot on Israel-bound plane, Israeli PM says|date=1 October 2026|access-date=1 October 2026}}</ref> A passenger was also hospitalized, while most other passengers were unharmed, with some only requiring bandages for minor injuries.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cw980g1lem5pt|title=Israel-Dubai flight: Netanyahu names 'hero' pilot attacked on flight as passengers arrive back in Israel|first1=Oliver|last1=O'Connell|first2=Sakshi|last2=Venkatraman|first3=Jon|last3=Donnison|first4=Michael|last4=Shuval|date=30 September 2026|website=BBC News}}</ref> The captain was an [[Indian people|Indian national]],<ref name="JP">{{Cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/international/article-910230|title=Flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar reportedly aided rescue efforts while wounded | The Jerusalem Post|first=Maya|last=Zanger-Shamir|date=30 September 2026|website=The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com}}</ref> and the first officer was an [[Omanis|Omani national]], who had reportedly worked for the airline for less than a year. Under its agreement with Israel, Flydubai was obligated to exclude Omani pilots from any of its Tel Aviv operations because [[Israel–Oman relations|Oman and Israel do not have diplomatic ties]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-910192|title=Regev orders flydubai flights to Israel halted over hijacking pilot's Omani background, sources say}}</ref>

Photographs taken after landing show that most of the [[Rudder#Aircraft rudders|rudder]] was missing and that it had likely detached in-flight during the rapid descent.<ref name="toi2" />
[[File:Flydubai Flight 1073 altitude and speed.svg|thumb|right|Flydubai Flight 1073 altitude and speed]]

==Investigation==
Upon landing, the first officer was arrested by Saudi authorities.<ref name="toi2" /> Local authorities questioned the passengers and cabin crew for seven hours.<ref name="WSJSep30">{{Cite web|website=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|url=https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/the-cockpit-stabbing-and-terrifying-nosedive-that-brought-chaos-to-flight-1073-2b5e9157|title=The Cockpit Stabbing and Terrifying Nosedive That Brought Chaos to FlyDubai Flight 1073|author1=Anat Peled|author2=Benjamin Katz|author3=Summer Said|date=30 September 2026|url-access=subscription}}</ref> An initial assessment from Saudi authorities concluded that the first officer intended to deliberately crash the plane, though they could not yet determine a motive or whether he acted alone.<ref name="WSJSep30"/> Israeli officials also examined whether he intended suicide.<ref name="ynet" />

On October 1, Israeli prime minister [[Benjamin Netanyahu]] said that UAE president [[Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan]] agreed to let Israel participate in the incident's investigation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-910243|title=Netanyahu: Israel to join flydubai probe, 'we'll find out' whether Iran was involved|website=[[The Jerusalem Post]]|date=1 October 2026}}</ref>

[[United States Secretary of Homeland Security]] [[Markwayne Mullin]] stated there were no credible threats against the U.S. at the moment.<ref name=jaiswal>{{citation|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/a-hero-trump-hails-indian-captain-after-flydubai-attack-calls-co-pilot-perhaps-a-terrorist/articleshow/134605863.cms|access-date=1 October 2026|work=[[The Times of India]]|title='A hero': Trump hails Indian captain after Flydubai attack|date=1 October 2026|first=Priyanka|last=Jaiswal}}</ref>{{Relevance inline|reason=There is no indication that this statement is related to a formal investigation|date=October 2026}} United States Attorney General [[Todd Blanche]] confirmed U.S. law enforcement officers were "coordinating very closely with our counterparts overseas".<ref>{{citation|url=https://wlos.com/news/nation-world/israel-bound-flight-flydubai-emergency-alert-diverted-to-tabuk-saudi-arabia-after-reported-cockpit-fight-pilots-feud-dubai-united-arab-emirates-warplanes-prime-minister-netanyahu-middle-east|title=FlyDubai flight diverts to Saudi Arabia after cockpit stabbing, alleged crash attempt|date=30 September 2026|access-date=1 October 2026|work=[[WLOS]]|first1=Alexx|last1=Altman-Devilbliss|first2=Julia|last2=Varnier}}</ref>{{Relevance inline|reason=There is no indication that this statement is related to a formal investigation|date=October 2026}}

== Aftermath ==
Israeli Prime Minister [[Benjamin Netanyahu]] and Defense Minister [[Israel Katz]] held a security consultation, and [[Israel Defense Forces]] (IDF) chief of staff [[Eyal Zamir]] held a situational assessment with [[Omer Tischler]], the commander of the Israeli Air Force, and other senior military officials.<ref name="ynet"/><ref name="toi"/> Israeli officials called it an attempted [[Terrorism|terrorist attack]].<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Cornwell |first1=Alexander |last2=Amichay |first2=Rami |last3=Cornwell |first3=Alexander |date=2026-09-30 |title=Israeli officials say diverted flydubai incident may be attempted 'terror attack' |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/diverted-flydubai-flight-israel-was-not-hijacking-incident-israeli-prime-2026-09-30/ |access-date=2026-09-30 |work=Reuters |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260930111831/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/diverted-flydubai-flight-israel-was-not-hijacking-incident-israeli-prime-2026-09-30/ |archive-date=30 September 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref> According to initial reports, the use of Israeli aircraft to return the passengers from Saudi Arabia to Tel Aviv was not permitted. Transport Minister [[Miri Regev]] called for Flydubai flights to Israel to be halted; Israeli officials said foreign airlines may not use pilots from countries without diplomatic ties to Israel on the route.<ref name="toi2"/> Netanyahu also praised [[Indian people|Indian]] pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his extraordinary bravery after a serious mid-air incident aboard a Flydubai flight.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2026-09-30 |title=Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) on X |url=https://x.com/netanyahu/status/2105367389428646054?s=20 |access-date=2026-10-01 |work=X (formerly Twitter) |language=en-US}}</ref>

In an official statement, Flydubai confirmed that an "incident" had occurred during the flight, noting that the plane landed safely in Tabuk and that all passengers were secure. The airline added that further updates would be provided once verified details became available.<ref>{{cite news |title=Flydubai flight diverts to Saudi Arabia amid reports of pilot fight |url=https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/flydubai-fz1073-diverts-saudi-arabia-7500-code |work=AeroTime |date=30 September 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title="פליי דובאי": לכל הנוסעים שהיו על הטיסה מדובאי לישראל – שלום |trans-title="Flydubai": All passengers on the flight from Dubai to Israel are safe |url=https://www.zman.co.il/live/728939/ |work=Zman Yisrael |date=30 September 2026 |language=he}}</ref> A second statement cited "an altercation" on the flight deck, said on-duty crew travelling on the flight landed the aircraft, and called the motives unknown.<ref name="fz" /> The company also sent two replacement aircraft to Tabuk to fly the passengers to Israel.<ref>{{cite news |title=Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv veers off course, lands in Saudi Arabia after hijacking scare |url=https://www.jpost.com/international/article-910155 |work=[[The Jerusalem Post]]|first1=Amichai|last1=Stein|first2=James|last2=Genn|first3=Yonah Jeremy|last3=Bob|first4=Zvika|last4=Klein |date=30 September 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260930135321/https://www.jpost.com/international/article-910155 |archive-date=30 September 2026 |access-date=30 September 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="fz">{{Cite web |last=Hayashi |first=Erika |date=30 September 2026 |title=Updates on FZ 1073 DXB-TLV on 30 September 2026 |url=https://news.flydubai.com/updates-on-fz-1073-dxb-tlv-on-30-september-2026 |website=FlyDubai |language=en |access-date=30 September 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260930132109/https://news.flydubai.com/updates-on-fz-1073-dxb-tlv-on-30-september-2026 |archive-date=30 September 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Following the incident, all Flydubai flights to [[Ben Gurion Airport]] were suspended for six days.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Eichner |first1=Itamar |last2=Lifshitz-Klieger |first2=Iris |date=2026-09-30 |title=Israel suspends Flydubai flights for 6 days after suspected terror attack |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rja2tr9cfl |access-date=2026-09-30 |work=Ynetglobal |language=en}}</ref> The UAE also agreed to longstanding Israeli security demands that had prevented Israeli airliners from flying there, and [[El Al]], [[Arkia]], and [[Israir]] announced that they would resume flights from Tel Aviv to Dubai.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2026-09-30 |title=Israeli airlines to resume Dubai flights after six month hiatus |url=https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-israeli-airlines-to-resume-dubai-flights-after-six-month-hiatus-1001558093 |access-date=2026-09-30 |work=Globes |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Netanyahu, Sa'ar speak to Emirati counterparts, vow cooperation after flydubai attack |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-saar-speak-to-emirati-counterparts-vow-cooperation-after-flydubai-attack/amp/ |access-date=2026-09-30 |website=The Times of Israel}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[2026 in aviation]]
* [[Alaska Airlines Flight 2059]]
* [[Federal Express Flight 705]]
* [[Germanwings Flight 9525]]
* [[List of accidents and incidents involving commercial aircraft]]
* [[List of aircraft hijackings]]
* [[Suicide by aircraft]]
* [[September 11 attacks]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{Aviation accidents and incidents in 2026}}
{{Aviation accidents and incidents in Saudi Arabia}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:2026 in Saudi Arabia]]
[[Category:Aircraft hijackings in Asia]]
[[Category:Aviation accidents and incidents in 2026]]
[[Category:Aviation accidents and incidents in Saudi Arabia]]
[[Category:Aviation accidents and incidents involving the Boeing 737]]
[[Category:Hijackings in the 2020s]]
[[Category:Israel–Saudi Arabia relations]]
[[Category:Israel–United Arab Emirates relations]]
[[Category:Saudi Arabia–United Arab Emirates relations]]
[[Category:September 2026 in Saudi Arabia]]
[[Category:Tabuk, Saudi Arabia]]
[[Category:Aviation in the United Arab Emirates]]