A FlyDubai flight headed to Tel Aviv was forced into an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after one pilot allegedly stabbed his co-pilot inside the cockpit, sending the aircraft into a rapid nosedive that terrified passengers and crew aboard.
Passengers described scenes of chaos as the plane plunged thousands of feet within seconds. A 17-year-old student on board said people were screaming, running and panicking, with blood visible in the cabin. Another passenger said he heard a woman shout that someone was being stabbed in the cockpit just before the aircraft began diving.
Indian pilot Smit Machchhar was identified as the victim and hailed as a hero for his actions during the attack. Despite sustaining serious injuries, Machchhar managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to intervene. A plumber named Yaniv Hayun was among those who entered the cockpit, physically restrained the attacking pilot and helped regain control of the aircraft. Hayun said the group worked as a team in what he described as a do-or-die situation.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu credited Machchhar with saving 174 lives and said the wounded pilot was hospitalized in stable condition in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Netanyahu described the overall incident as a serious security incident and said the attacker was in Saudi custody. He told Fox News that Machchhar appeared to have been struck with an axe.
Two senior U.S. law enforcement officials told NBC News that the attacking pilot is from Oman. Omani authorities have not issued any public comment on the matter. Early findings from investigators suggest the incident is increasingly being treated as an act of terrorism, though Saudi officials cautioned the investigation remains in its early stages.
A major unanswered question is how the attacking pilot managed to bring a weapon past airport security checkpoints and metal detectors. Pilots are subject to rigorous background screening and security protocols, making the breach a significant concern for aviation authorities.
President Donald Trump said he spoke at length with Netanyahu about the incident and suggested the co-pilot may have been a terrorist. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said there are no credible threats to U.S. airlines but confirmed authorities are reviewing existing safety procedures.
The United Arab Emirates, which owns FlyDubai, has launched its own investigation to determine whether the attack involved prior planning or links to any terrorist organization. Israel and the UAE have both announced formal inquiries into the incident involving FlyDubai Flight 1073.