Flydubai Flight Incident: What We Know About the Co-Pilot Who Allegedly Attempted To Crash the Plane

An investigation is underway after a Flydubai flight en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv was forced to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday following a violent cockpit struggle in which a co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain and attempted to crash the aircraft. Flight FZ1073, carrying between 160 and 180 passengers, plunged thousands of feet before crew members and passengers breached the flight deck to overpower the attacker. Authorities in Saudi Arabia have detained the co-pilot, while regional intelligence and aviation agencies examine his background and potential motives.

The Identity and Background of the Co-Pilot

Official details regarding the co-pilot remain limited as the multinational investigation proceeds, reports said. According to Israeli security officials and diplomatic reports, the co-pilot is an Omani national employed by the Dubai-based carrier.

Flydubai has not yet publicly released the co-pilot's name, citing ongoing investigations coordinated between Emirati, Saudi, and international aviation authorities. Investigators are reviewing his employment history, flight logs, and recent background checks to determine how long he had flown with Flydubai and whether any previous behavioral or security flags were documented during routine evaluations. Flydubai Co-Pilot ‘Perhaps a Terrorist or a Whack Job’, Says Donald Trump After Cockpit Stabbing on Israel-Bound Plane.

How the Incident Unfolded Mid-Flight

Flight FZ1073 departed Dubai International Airport on Wednesday morning bound for Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport. According to flight-tracking data and official briefings, the situation escalated roughly two and a half hours into the journey as the Boeing 737 approached Israeli airspace. Flydubai Dubai-Tel Aviv Flight FZ1073 Hero Passenger Meets Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel PM Shares Video.

Officials reported that the co-pilot attacked the pilot-in-command, identified as Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian national and veteran commercial captain. Captain Machchhar was stabbed during the altercation, after which the aircraft began an abrupt, steep descent - losing between 14,000 and 16,000 feet in just a few minutes.

Despite severe injuries, Captain Machchhar managed to activate the cockpit door emergency release. Hearing distress calls and feeling the extreme turbulence, several passengers - alongside a flight attendant and another airline crew member traveling aboard - rushed into the flight deck, physically subdued the co-pilot, and helped stabilize the controls.

Emergency Landing and Arrest in Saudi Arabia

Following the confrontation, emergency squawk codes were transmitted from the aircraft, initially triggering alarms across regional air traffic control networks.

The flight diverted to Tabuk Regional Airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia, touching down safely at approximately 9:45 a.m. local time. Saudi security forces boarded the plane and took the co-pilot into custody. Both pilots received immediate medical attention at a local hospital for their injuries. Passengers were later transferred to a replacement aircraft and completed their journey to Tel Aviv later that evening.

Questions Surrounding Motive

The central focus of investigators is determining the underlying motive behind the attack.

Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz, characterized the event as a thwarted terrorist attempt targeting a flight carrying numerous Israeli citizens. However, Flydubai stated that the motives remain unconfirmed, noting that investigators are keeping all lines of inquiry open, including a potential mental health crisis, personal dispute, or attempted suicide.

Saudi and Emirati authorities are scrutinizing the co-pilot’s digital footprint, communications, and personal affiliations to assess whether he acted alone or had ties to any extremist networks.

Broader Aviation and Security Fallout

The incident has prompted swift operational reviews across regional carriers. Flydubai temporarily suspended flights on its Tel Aviv route pending initial safety and security assessments.

Aviation security analysts note that the incident is likely to renew scrutiny over cockpit access protocols, two-person cockpit rules, and pilot psychological screening standards across commercial airlines operating in sensitive airspace.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 01, 2026 10:20 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).