TABUK, Saudi Arabia — A flydubai Boeing 737 MAX 8 flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday after a serious altercation occurred in the cockpit. All passengers and crew were reported safe after the aircraft landed.
Flight FZ1073, operated by aircraft A6-FKF, departed Dubai International Airport at about 07:05 local time (03:05 UTC) carrying approximately 174–180 passengers, including about 27 children and a large number of Israeli nationals.
Cockpit incident
More than two hours into the flight, an altercation occurred between the captain and first officer. According to Israeli officials, the first officer, an Omani national, stabbed the captain with a pocketknife and attempted to take control of the aircraft, reportedly trying to force it into a descent.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the incident as a serious security event and said the pilot appeared to have tried to crash the aircraft. Israeli officials assessed the incident as a possible attempted terror attack, although the circumstances, motive and sequence of events remain subject to formal investigation.
The captain was identified in media reports as Smit Machchhar, an Indian national. He was reportedly serving as a flydubai Boeing 737 captain and had previously worked for Indian airline SpiceJet.
The first officer, who was identified as an Omani national, has not been reliably named by official sources. He was taken into Saudi custody after the aircraft landed in Tabuk.
Passengers reported hearing shouting and seeing blood after the cockpit door was opened. Crew members and passengers intervened to restrain the person involved. Reports said that two off-duty pilots traveling as passengers, along with at least one doctor, also assisted during the emergency.
The aircraft subsequently experienced a rapid descent before the crew stabilized the aircraft and diverted it to Saudi Arabia. The crew also transmitted squawk 7500, the international transponder code associated with unlawful interference or a suspected hijacking, before later returning to 7700.
Rapid descent and emergency codes
Flight-tracking data showed the aircraft cruising at about 34,000 feet before experiencing major altitude changes around 05:21 UTC. In one report, the aircraft lost nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds, while other tracking summaries indicated an overall descent of roughly 17,000 feet over a short period. The aircraft later stabilized at about 15,000 feet.
The crew transmitted squawk 7700, indicating a general emergency, followed by 7500, the international code associated with unlawful interference or a suspected hijacking. The aircraft later returned to 7700.
The 7500 signal prompted Israeli authorities to scramble fighter jets. Israeli officials later said the situation was not a conventional hijacking.
Diversion to Tabuk
The aircraft briefly entered Jordanian airspace before turning toward Saudi Arabia and diverting to Tabuk Regional Airport. It landed safely at approximately 06:45–06:58 UTC, or around 09:45 local time.
Saudi security forces took control of the situation around the aircraft. Both pilots were injured and taken to a local hospital for treatment. Saudi authorities also took custody of the pilot involved in the incident.
Flydubai confirmed that an altercation had occurred in the flight deck and said its crew secured the aircraft and completed the diversion and landing. The airline said all passengers and crew were safe and accounted for.
Flydubai also deployed two replacement aircraft to Tabuk to assist passengers and crew. Passengers were later transferred to replacement flights for onward travel to Tel Aviv.
Images circulating online appear to show possible damage to part of the aircraft's rudder or tail section, but the extent and cause of the damage have not been officially confirmed. Claims that the damage was caused by the rapid descent also remain unverified.
Flydubai said the underlying reasons and motives remain subject to formal investigation and urged against premature speculation. Saudi, Israeli and other relevant authorities are continuing to investigate the cockpit incident and the sequence of events.
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