Friday, October 2, 2026 - Investigators from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Israel, with assistance from the United States and Oman, are examining what happened aboard FlyDubai Flight FZ1073 after the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain during the flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
The Boeing 737 was forced into a steep descent before passengers and crew intervened, and the aircraft eventually made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, with everyone on board safe.
The injured captain, Indian national Smit Machchhar, has been reported in stable condition. The co-pilot, an Omani national, was detained after the aircraft landed and has been transferred with the captain to the UAE.
Authorities are examining multiple possible explanations, including whether the incident had a terrorist motive, while officials have stressed that the investigation is still underway and no motive has been confirmed.
The incident is also putting aviation security procedures under renewed scrutiny, particularly the screening and monitoring of flight crews. Israel has already announced plans to increase identity and security checks on pilots flying into the country.
Investigators now face the urgent task of establishing how the alleged attack happened inside the cockpit, what triggered it and whether any wider security threat was involved.
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