Pilots hurt in cockpit attack aboard Flydubai flight to Israel

A Flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after a violent incident in the cockpit left both pilots injured and sent the aircraft into a rapid descent.

Flight FZ1073, carrying 174 passengers and crew, was diverted to Tabuk after the incident occurred about two hours after it departed Dubai International Airport for Ben Gurion International Airport in Israel.

Flydubai confirmed that the aircraft landed safely in Tabuk and that all passengers were safe and accounted for.

According to Israeli officials cited by Reuters and other international media, the co-pilot stabbed the captain during the confrontation and apparently attempted to take control of the aircraft.

The plane subsequently lost almost 14,000 feet of altitude in less than 30 seconds, triggering alarm on the ground and fears of a possible hijacking.

The aircraft transmitted emergency signals as the situation unfolded.

Israel reportedly scrambled fighter jets as authorities initially sought to determine whether the aircraft had been hijacked before it changed course towards Saudi Arabia.

Despite suffering serious injuries, the captain was able to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to intervene.

Reuters reported that passengers and crew helped overpower the attacker, while two additional Flydubai pilots who were travelling on the aircraft subsequently helped regain control and land the plane safely at Tabuk Airport.

The airport operator in Tabuk said the captain and co-pilot were taken to hospital for treatment.

The identities and nationalities of the pilots were initially not officially released by Flydubai, although Israeli officials and international media later identified the injured captain as Indian national Smit Machchhar.

Passengers later described chaotic scenes inside the aircraft, including a sudden loss of altitude and a struggle near the cockpit.

One passenger, Almog Italie, told Israeli media that additional pilots were on board and helped during the emergency.

Reuters also reported accounts from passengers who said they rushed towards the cockpit as the situation unfolded.

Flydubai said the cause and motive of the incident remained under investigation and urged against premature speculation.

In a subsequent statement, the airline said its crew members travelling on duty secured the aircraft, changed its route and landed it safely in Tabuk.

The passengers were later flown to Israel on replacement aircraft.

Israeli authorities said they were reviewing aviation security procedures following the incident, while Saudi authorities took the alleged attacker into custody.

The incident remains under investigation, with authorities yet to establish the full circumstances and motive behind the cockpit confrontation.