Flydubai Flight FZ1073 attack thwarted, lands in Tabuk
Written by AI from 8 reports listed below. Not checked by a person before publication. How we use AI
A co‑pilot assaulted the captain on a September 30 flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv; passengers and crew overpowered the attacker and the aircraft landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Authorities opened investigations and President Herzog announced a civilian heroism award for the captain.
In‑flight assault
The co‑pilot of flydubai Flight FZ1073 attacked captain Smit Machchhar with an axe inside the cockpit while the aircraft was en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The attack occurred on September 30, 2026.
The UAE Attorney‑General said the co‑pilot intended to crash the aircraft into the passenger terminal at Ben Gurion Airport.
Control regained and landing
Passengers, two off‑duty pilots and cabin crew opened the locked cockpit door, overpowered the attacker and restrained him. The reserve pilot then took control of the Boeing 737 MAX 8 and landed the plane at Tabuk Airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia.
The aircraft departed Dubai at 7:05 am Gulf Standard Time and landed at around 10:45 am GST.
Investigations and legal action
Saudi authorities arrested the co‑pilot. The UAE Attorney‑General said investigators believed the plot was inspired by the September 11 attacks and that earlier flights had been used to study the route and airport.
India’s National Investigation Agency registered a case under the Anti‑Hijacking Act and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act after the central government cited the incident’s national and international ramifications.
Recognition of captain
Israeli President Isaac Herzog sent a letter to Captain Machchhar expressing gratitude and announced that he would present the Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism to the captain once he recovers.
During a ceremony on October 8, President Herzog also honored six Israeli passengers for their heroism aboard the flight.
What's still unclear
Sources give different figures for the number of people on board: 182 people including 174 passengers (clevelandjewishnews.com) and 174 passengers with six crew members (businesstoday.in).
Analysed 8 reports from 8 publishers
Used in this story
- aviation24.be
- israelnationalnews.com
- clevelandjewishnews.com
- english.news.cn
- nypost.com
- idrw.org
- businesstoday.in
- freerepublic.com
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