A second-in-command pilot attacked the captain of a flight en route from the United Arab Emirates to Israel, prompting distress among 174 passengers, mostly Israelis, on board. The FlyDubai aircraft experienced a rapid descent, losing half of its altitude within a minute, before the injured captain managed to open the cockpit door. Subsequently, a passenger and a crew member intervened to restrain the assailant, while other crew members regained control of the plane, leading to a safe landing in Saudi Arabia.
The incident unfolded at 8:44 a.m. local time, approximately 2½ hours after the departure of Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Israeli authorities later revealed that the co-pilot assaulted the captain and attempted to crash the aircraft. The plane descended swiftly from 33,000 feet to 17,000 feet in about a minute, circling near the Jordanian border before touching down in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, an hour later. Despite the extreme descent causing significant damage to the aircraft, the plane miraculously avoided a crash.
Following the landing at Tabuk’s Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport, alternative aircraft transported the passengers to Israel on the same day. The wounded captain, identified as Capt. Smit Machchhar from Mumbai, received accolades for enabling others to subdue the attacker and take control of the Boeing 737, averting a potential midair catastrophe. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commended the captain’s actions, emphasizing the prevention of a disaster due to the crew and passengers overpowering the attacker.
The United Arab Emirates government initiated an investigation into the incident, asserting jurisdiction as the plane was registered in the UAE. Israeli intelligence and security officials collaborated with Saudi Arabia to probe the suspect, identified as an Omani national. Netanyahu suggested that the attacker underwent Islamist radical indoctrination, although no further details were provided to substantiate the claim.
Questions arose regarding the weapon used in the attack and how it bypassed security measures. Airlines typically conduct background checks on pilots and subject them to security screenings, including metal detector scans. Netanyahu hinted at the possibility of an axe being involved, highlighting the standard protocol for airlines to equip cockpits with crash axes for emergency situations.
Machchhar, the targeted pilot, was reported to be in good health and recovering post-attack. An Indian Embassy statement confirmed ongoing coordination with local authorities to ensure his well-being. Passengers on Israel-bound flights are subject to enhanced security measures, reflecting Israel’s stringent airline security protocols.
FlyDubai, with a diverse workforce of over 6,000 employees from various nations, operates flights to numerous destinations worldwide. The airline, in operation for nearly two decades, has faced tragic incidents in the past, including a fatal crash in 2016. Despite past controversies, the airline continues to operate a fleet comprising Boeing 737 aircraft alongside future plans to incorporate Airbus planes. U.S. President Donald Trump lauded Boeing for the performance of the 737 Max aircraft during the recent event.
