Flydubai captain unlocks cockpit during co-pilot stabbing attack, saving 174 passengers
An Indian captain opened his cockpit door while being stabbed by his co-pilot, allowing passengers and relief crew to overpower the attacker and divert the Tel Aviv-bound Boeing 737 to Saudi Arabia.
Cockpit struggle and emergency descent
FlyDubai Flight 1073, a Boeing 737 Max 8 en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv, avoided a crash on Wednesday after the captain unlocked the cockpit door during a knife attack by his co-pilot. The aircraft had departed Dubai at 03:05 GMT carrying 174 people, primarily Israeli nationals. Flight data platforms AirNav Radar and Flightradar24 recorded the initial descent from 34,000 feet at 05:21:09 GMT. At 05:22:40 GMT, the aircraft plunged to 16,600 feet before ascending to 21,725 feet three seconds later, finally leveling off at 15,000 feet by 05:24:29 GMT. Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian aviator with 17 years of flying experience and 11 years as captain, was stabbed multiple times during the descent. Machchhar had worked for FlyDubai for four years after accumulating more than 9,750 flight hours at SpiceJet.
- Flight 1073 departs Dubai for Tel Aviv with 174 people on board
- Aircraft begins sudden descent from cruising altitude of 34,000 feet
- Altitude drops to 16,600 feet before ascending to 21,725 feet seconds later
- Aircraft levels off at 15,000 feet following cockpit struggle
- Crew transmits Squawk 7700 general emergency code near Saudi-Jordanian border
- Squawk code switched to 7500 indicating unlawful interference
- Aircraft turns southwest toward Tabuk after entering Jordanian airspace
- Relief pilots land the Boeing 737 Max 8 safely at Tabuk airport
Passenger intervention and landing in Saudi Arabia
Despite sustaining severe injuries and lying bloodied on the floor, Machchhar reached the cockpit door release switch. The unlocked door allowed passengers to enter and confront the co-pilot, who is believed to be an Omani national and appeared to be attempting to disable the controls. Israeli passenger Yaniv Hayoun, a plumber, joined a dentist and other travelers to overpower the assailant, with Hayoun taking the flight controls based on his familiarity with aviation disaster films. A second pair of off-duty FlyDubai pilots on board then assumed command of the aircraft.
I knew that the aircraft was going down... I had fallen to the ground. I told myself that the door is right there, just open it. I managed to do it and people entered.
The crew broadcast a Squawk 7700 emergency code at 05:28 GMT near the Saudi-Jordanian border before changing to Squawk 7500 for unlawful interference at 05:35 GMT. After briefly entering Jordanian airspace, the aircraft executed a 180-degree turn at 05:46 GMT and landed at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia at 06:58 GMT.
- Cruising altitude
- 34000 ft
- Initial plunge low point
- 16600 ft
- Brief recovery altitude
- 21725 ft
- Stabilized holding level
- 15000 ft
Medical condition and official responses
Machchhar was initially admitted to a hospital in Tabuk before being transferred to a medical facility in Abu Dhabi in stable condition. On Friday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Machchhar in a nearly 10-minute video call broadcast on social media. During the call, Machchhar spoke from his hospital bed with bandages on his head and hands, explaining that he had recited a prayer to the Hindu deity Hanuman during the struggle. In Tel Aviv, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met returning passengers and recommended Hayoun for the Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism.
In the face of the gravest danger and despite being grievously injured, he displayed immense courage and unwavering resolve to protect the lives of others. His bravery helped save hundreds of lives and averted a massive tragedy.
Security inquiries and aviation impact
Authorities in the United Arab Emirates, Israel, and Saudi Arabia have opened formal investigations into the attack. Israeli security officials stated that the co-pilot appeared to have acted alone under extremist influences, while investigations into potential external direction continue. The UAE confirmed it holds legal jurisdiction over the case because the aircraft is registered in Dubai. FlyDubai suspended flights to Tel Aviv while inquiries proceed. The disruption affects an airline that ranks among the top 10 passenger carriers at Ben Gurion International Airport, amid wider regional pressures following the outbreak of the Iran conflict on 28 February 2026.
