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Passengers subdue Flydubai co‑pilot after stabbing, divert plane to Saudi Arabia

A co‑pilot on Flydubai flight FZ1073 stabbed the captain during a Dubai‑to‑Tel Aviv service. Passengers, led by Yaniv Hayun, restrained the assailant and pulled the steering control, allowing the aircraft to be diverted safely to Saudi Arabia.

The co‑pilot, an Omani national, stabbed the captain on Flydubai flight FZ1073 bound for Tel Aviv.14 Captain Smit Machchhar opened the cockpit door after being stabbed, enabling passengers and crew to intervene.4 Passenger Yaniv Hayun, who had watched an air‑crash TV show, helped stabilize the nose‑diving aircraft and, with three other passengers, subdued the co‑pilot.13 The aircraft was diverted to Saudi Arabia and landed safely.13 Israeli authorities say the co‑pilot had undergone Islamist radical indoctrination and exploited a loophole allowing pilots without diplomatic ties to Israel to operate the flight.4 The incident highlights the importance of cockpit security protocols and the potential role of passenger intervention in emergency situations.14 Airlines may need to review crew vetting and training procedures for flights to regions with complex diplomatic requirements.4

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