Flydubai co-pilot stabs captain in mid-air attack; jet lands in Tabuk
On Sept 30, flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv plunged thousands of feet over Saudi Arabia after the co-pilot allegedly stabbed Indian captain Smit Machchhar and tried to crash the plane. The wounded captain unlocked the cockpit door, passengers and crew subdued the attacker, and a second crew landed the aircraft in Tabuk.
The drama unfolded aboard flydubai flight FZ1073 on Sept 30 when the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the Indian captain, Smit Machchhar, inside the cockpit and attempted to crash the Tel Aviv-bound aircraft.
The jet plunged between 14,000 and 17,000 feet over Saudi Arabia before the wounded captain managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to overpower the attacker. A second crew on board brought the aircraft down safely in Tabuk.
Israeli officials described the incident as a possible attempted terror attack. The UAE opened a formal investigation on Oct 1 as authorities on both sides worked to establish the co-pilot's motive.
