Indian pilot stabbed by co-pilot on Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv, plane diverted to Saudi Arabia

Dubai: An Indian captain was stabbed by his co-pilot aboard a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday, September 30, before passengers and crew intervened and the aircraft made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

Flydubai Flight FZ1073 was travelling from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion Airport in Israel when the incident occurred in the cockpit.

The airline said an altercation took place in the flight deck and that the crew secured the aircraft before diverting it safely to Saudi Arabia. The aircraft landed at Tabuk with all passengers accounted for.

The stabbed pilot Captain Smith Machchhar has been identified as an Indian national and was taken to hospital for treatment. Israeli Defence Minister described the incident as an “attempted jihadist terror attack”. The flight FZ1073 flew from Dubai International Airport at 03:05 GMT and was going to Bengurion Airport in Israel.

The flight was carrying at least 150 passengers and almost all were Israelis as claimed by Netanyahu. Initial reports claim that a fight broke out between the two pilots. Data from flight tracking website Flightrader 24 shows a rapid downward movement of plane in Saudi Arabian region, dropping more than 17,000 feet in less than 2 minutes. Israeli PM Netanyahu confirmed the reports that intention of the stabber was to crash the plane.

As per an Israeli passenger, the plane went into a spin and then started to descend. The passengers and the crew members broke into the cockpit to get hold of the stabber. The plane was diverted to Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia and landed at 06:58. The stabbed pilot is now in stable condition.

Paying tribute to the Indian pilot, Netanyahu called him a “true hero” who saved the lives of 174 people which included Israeli nationals and passengers of other nationalities. Indian PM Narendra Modi also hailed the pilot’s efforts and appreciated him on social media for his bravery.

There are many children and families who had a tough time during this highly traumatic event. Shirts of people were covered in blood, but now everyone is fine and want to return home. One passenger told the media that one of the pilots who landed the flight was British. A pilot, plumber and dentist were among the people who saved the Flydubai flight. As of now, it is too early to determine the motive of the stabber.