TEL AVIV, Oct 2: An Indian pilot and passengers aboard a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv helped prevent a potentially serious aviation incident after the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the pilot and attempted to interfere with the aircraft's controls, forcing the Boeing 737 MAX 8 to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
The wounded pilot was identified as Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian national. The incident occurred on Wednesday as Flydubai flight FZ1073 was approaching Israel with 174 people on board.
According to Israeli officials and passenger accounts, the aircraft experienced a struggle in the cockpit after the co-pilot allegedly attacked Machchhar. The pilot was reportedly able to unlock the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to enter and help restrain the attacker.
The aircraft subsequently diverted to Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely. Machchhar was taken to hospital for treatment, while two crew members were also hospitalised with unspecified injuries.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the incident raised concerns that the aircraft could have been deliberately brought down. He said Israeli security authorities were investigating the circumstances and preparing for possible additional threats.
Israeli authorities reportedly scrambled fighter jets after the aircraft deviated from its planned route, descended rapidly and initially failed to respond to attempts to establish contact. The aircraft also transmitted an emergency alert indicating a possible hijacking.
However, Flydubai has not characterised the incident as terrorism or a hijacking, saying the motive remains unknown and is subject to a formal investigation.
The airline said an altercation occurred in the flight deck and that the aircraft was secured by crew members before being diverted and safely landed in Saudi Arabia. All passengers and crew were reported safe and accounted for.
Passenger accounts described a chaotic situation inside the aircraft. Some passengers said the plane appeared to lose altitude sharply before stabilising, while others helped restrain the alleged attacker and provide first aid to the injured pilot.
The alleged attacker was arrested by Saudi authorities and is being questioned. An Omani official said the man was born in Oman and held Omani citizenship.
The aircraft later continued its journey to Tel Aviv, landing at Ben Gurion Airport shortly before 8 p.m. local time.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident, including the alleged attack, the co-pilot's motive and whether the episode was an attempted hijacking or another form of aviation security threat.
