Flydubai flight lands safely in Saudi Arabia after cockpit stabbing
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.
Flydubai flight FZ1073, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after one pilot stabbed the other, according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The aircraft landed safely with more than 170 people aboard.
Flydubai said an altercation occurred in the flight deck and on-duty crew secured and diverted the aircraft. The airline said passengers and crew were its immediate priority as an official investigation proceeded.
Passengers and crew reportedly subdued the attacker. The injured pilot, Indian national Captain Smit Machchhar, was taken to hospital and reported in stable condition by the Indian embassy in Saudi Arabia.
Netanyahu said the attacker had apparently tried to crash the plane. That allegation has not been independently established in the supplied account. Israel’s defence minister called the incident an attempted jihadist terror attack but provided no supporting details.
The attacker was arrested and investigated in Saudi Arabia. No motive was reported. Passengers later travelled to Tel Aviv on a replacement flight.
