Event
A pilot stabbed the other pilot aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv and apparently tried to crash the aircraft, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. Passengers and crew overpowered the attacker, and on-duty crew landed the plane safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The stabbed pilot, Indian national Captain Smit Machchhar, was reported in stable condition in hospital. The passengers later travelled to Tel Aviv. The attacker was arrested and investigated in Saudi Arabia; no motive was given.
2 published stories · security · source reliability 33%
The aircraft diverted to Tabuk after a flight-deck altercation. Netanyahu said the attacker apparently tried to crash it, a claim not independently established in the available account.
Background
Flydubai flight FZ1073 was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when it diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after an altercation in the flight deck. Flydubai said crew secured the aircraft; passengers and crew reportedly subdued the attacker, and on-duty crew landed safely. Captain Smit Machchhar was reported in stable condition in hospital, and passengers later travelled to Tel Aviv on a replacement flight. Netanyahu said the attacker apparently tried to crash the plane, but the supplied material does not independently establish that claim. The attacker was arrested in Saudi Arabia. A motive has not been reported.
Flydubai flight FZ1073 was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when it diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after an altercation in the flight deck. Flydubai said crew secured the aircraft; passengers and crew reportedly subdued the attacker, and on-duty crew landed safely. Captain Smi
Fact cards
Key entities: Flydubai, Benjamin Netanyahu, Smit Machchhar, Tabuk Airport.
Which flight was involved? Flydubai flight FZ1073, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Where did it land? Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. What did Flydubai say? It reported a flight-deck altercation, said crew secured and diverted the aircraft, and said passengers were safe and accounted for
BBC World | https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqgmrm7xd8wyo | published 2026-10-01T01:59:11.000Z | primary source | BBC World full text | Main account of the diversion, injury, official statements, airline response and passenger accounts. | Event digest | Concise summary of the
30 September 2026: FZ1073 departed Dubai for Tel Aviv. During the flight: A flight-deck altercation was reported; the aircraft sent emergency signals, including a brief hijacking code. 30 September 2026: The aircraft diverted to Tabuk and landed safely. After landing: The injured
Timeline
FZ1073 departed Dubai for Tel Aviv.
A flight-deck altercation was reported; the aircraft sent emergency signals, including a brief hijacking code.
The aircraft diverted to Tabuk and landed safely.
The injured pilot was hospitalised; the attacker was arrested and investigated in Saudi Arabia.
Passengers reached Tel Aviv on a replacement aircraft.
BBC published its account of the incident and official statements.
FAQ
Flydubai flight FZ1073, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
It reported a flight-deck altercation, said crew secured and diverted the aircraft, and said passengers were safe and accounted for.
Captain Smit Machchhar was reported in stable condition in hospital.
No. It is attributed to Netanyahu and is not independently established in the supplied material.
They later travelled to Tel Aviv on a replacement flight.
No motive was reported.
About 150, according to reports; the exact count is not confirmed.
Israel’s prime minister’s office said hijacking had been ruled out, although the aircraft briefly sent a hijacking code.
The exact cause is unconfirmed. A cockpit altercation was reported by local media citing Israeli defence officials.
It confirmed an incident en route and said it was working with relevant authorities.