Aviation

FlyDubai Flight 1073 diverted to Saudi Arabia after cockpit stabbing

Analysed · First reported · Updated

FlyDubai Flight 1073 diverted to Saudi Arabia after cockpit stabbing
Image: aajsamaaj.com

A FlyDubai Boeing 737 Max 8 operating from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after the co‑pilot stabbed the captain during the flight.

Flight and emergency codes

FlyDubai flight 1073 departed Dubai at 03:05 UTC. The aircraft began squawking 7700 at 05:28:48 UTC, switched to squawk 7500 at 05:35 UTC, and later returned to squawk 7700 as it approached Tabuk. The flight performed a steep descent, a sharp ascent, and another sharp descent before landing safely in Tabuk.

In‑flight attack

The co‑pilot, identified as Hamam al‑Hammami, an Omani national, used a cockpit crash axe to incapacitate Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian pilot. The captain was stabbed but managed to open the cockpit door.

Diversion and landing

Following the attack, the aircraft dropped rapidly, changed emergency squawks, and was diverted to Saudi Arabia. Two off‑duty FlyDubai pilots landed the plane safely in Tabuk.

What's still unclear

Sources report different numbers of people on board: 174 passengers (travelweekly.com.au), 150 people (businessday.ng), and 182 people (wtov9.com, wwmt.com and centralwesterndaily.com.au).

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