FlyDubai scare: Attempted crash, pilot stabbed and 17,000ft fall | What we know so far | Today’s news
A flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday (30 September) after a violent altercation between the two pilots left both injured and sparked a major security response.
The incident took place on board flydubai flight FZ1073 with more than 170 passengers on board. The plane eventually landed safely at Tabuk Airport, where Saudi authorities detained one of the pilots.
Here’s what happened on board the flight and what authorities have said so far.
What happened on board flydubai flight FZ1073?
Quick answers to key questions
•5 QUESTIONS
The emergency landing was caused by a violent altercation between two pilots in the cockpit, which led to the stabbing of one pilot, Captain Smit Machchhar.
Israeli authorities, including Prime Minister Netanyahu, said one pilot tried to crash the plane after stabbing the other, and praised the passengers and crew for taking action.
Passengers and crew intervened as the aircraft began to dive headlong, with some entering the cockpit to prevent further damage and assist in controlling the situation.
The injured pilot was Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian national with significant flying experience who previously worked for SpiceJet and joined FlyDubai in June 2022.
Saudi authorities have detained the second pilot involved in the incident and are conducting a joint investigation with Israel’s Ministry of Transport to uncover the motives behind the altercation.
The plane was flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv when an argument broke out in the cockpit between the captain and the first officer.
According to reports cited by ANI, the pilot who was stabbed and critically injured was Indian captain Smit Machchhar, who is based in Dubai. The co-pilot was identified by an Israeli official as an Omani national.
The exact circumstances and motive for the confrontation remained unclear.
Flydubai confirmed that “there was an altercation in the cockpit”. The airline said its crew on duty secured the plane, diverted the flight and landed it safely.
Why did the plane make an emergency landing?
The flight was diverted to Tabuk Airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia after the incident in the cockpit.
According to flight tracking data reported in the reports, the aircraft experienced a sudden and dramatic loss of altitude. It descended from about 33,000 feet to 17,000 feet in about a minute, with another report saying the plane dropped nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds.
Tabuk airport said the plane issued a distress call at 8:44 a.m. local time and landed safely at 9:45 a.m.
What did Netanyahu say about the alleged crash attempt?
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said evidence suggested one pilot stabbed the other and then apparently tried to crash the plane.
Netanyahu said an Israeli passenger and crew member intervened after the plane began to sink. According to his account, they entered the cockpit and found the co-pilot allegedly trying to damage the plane’s systems.
He described the incident as an “extremely serious security incident” and said those who intervened prevented a major disaster.
Netanyahu also said Saudi authorities were interrogating the arrested pilot.
However, the alleged attempt to crash the plane was not independently established in the available materials, and the motive for the cockpit attack remained unclear.
Read also | FlyDubai air horror: Passengers pray as plane makes emergency landing
Who was the pilot who was stabbed?
According to ANI, citing Israel’s i24 News, the injured pilot was Indian Captain Smit Machchhar, who is based in Dubai. Reports said that Machchhar was seriously injured during the confrontation. Tabuk Airport confirmed that both the captain and first officer were injured.
Available reports did not provide details about Machchhar’s health condition.
who was arrested
The co-pilot was identified by an Israeli official as an Omani national. Netanyahu said the pilot was arrested by Saudi authorities after the plane landed in Tabuk.
Saudi authorities were expected to question the suspect as part of their investigation.
Israel’s transport ministry said a joint investigation would be carried out with Israel’s defense establishment.
Did the passengers help stop the attack?
According to Netanyahu’s account, passengers and crew members intervened when the plane began to sink.
He said an Israeli passenger and crew member entered the cockpit and helped the pilot prevent alleged damage to the plane’s systems. Other crew members then took control of the plane.
A person familiar with the investigation also said some of the interfering passengers were members of the Israeli security forces and air marshals.
Netanyahu praised those who intervened, saying they saved lives.
Netanyahu subsequently ordered tighter security measures for Israeli and non-Israeli carriers flying into the country.
What happened to the passengers?
After landing in Tabuk, the passengers stayed in Saudi Arabia for about eight hours.
They then continued their journey to Israel aboard a replacement flydubai aircraft.
Flydubai said the plane was diverted safely and landed after an argument in the cockpit.
What is still unclear?
Several key questions remain unanswered throughout the investigation:
-What started the fight between the two pilots?
-Why was flydubai’s Indian captain stabbed?
-Was the co-pilot actually trying to crash or sabotage the plane?
-What was the motive for the alleged attack?
-What exactly happened in the cockpit before the plane’s rapid descent?
-What led the Saudi authorities to arrest the second pilot?
Read also | Who Is Smit Machchhar, FlyDubai Captain Stabbed During Mid-Air Cockpit Clash?
