Co-pilot stabs captain mid-flight

During a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, one pilot stabbed the other pilot and apparently tried to crash the plane with its passengers on board, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday.

Captain Smit Machchhar fights back

The attacked pilot, Capt. Smit Machchhar, an Indian citizen, was stabbed and seriously injured but fought back and opened the cockpit door, enabling passengers and crew to overpower the attacker.

“Despite being stabbed and seriously injured, he fought back, resisted, opened the cockpit door, and enabled passengers and crew to overpower the attacker, preventing a catastrophic mid-air disaster.”

Passengers break into cockpit

An Israeli passenger told Netanyahu he broke into the cockpit with a crew member. The plane had gone into a spin and begun to descend. Together they overpowered the pilot who had carried out the stabbing.

“the plane went into a spin and began to descend”

Flight lands safely in Saudi Arabia

The aircraft made an emergency landing at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia. Both pilots were hospitalized in the country. All one hundred seventy four passengers and crew were safe and accounted for.

“He saved the lives of 174 people, including Israeli citizens and other nationals.”

Co-pilot arrested, airline suspends Israel flights

Saudi authorities arrested and interrogated the co-pilot of flight FZ1073. Flydubai announced it will temporarily suspend flights to and from Israel while investigating the incident.

Passengers reach Tel Aviv on replacement flight

The United Arab Emirates' General Civil Aviation Authority announced it is investigating the incident, including operational and security aspects. Passengers later boarded a replacement plane and landed in Tel Aviv Wednesday evening.

“At this early stage, the underlying reasons and motives behind this event are unknown and remain subject to a formal investigation.”