Flydubai Flight FZ1073, operating from Dubai to Tel Aviv, was cruising at roughly 34,000 feet when, at 10:51 IST, it plunged 14,300 feet in 37 seconds, reaching about 15,600 feet before climbing again to 21,700 feet and finally stabilizing near 14,000 feet. The descent rate—around 23,000 feet per minute—was far beyond normal emergency procedures, and the aircraft’s ground speed peaked at 598 knots, nearly the speed of sound, before settling back to subsonic levels.
The 737 carried more than 100 Israeli passengers. During the turbulence, a physical altercation erupted between the two pilots. Reports from passengers and relatives indicate that one pilot, identified as Indian Captain Smit Machchhar, was stabbed by the other and that the cockpit was invaded by several passengers who overpowered the assailant. Bloodied clothing and shouts were heard, and a passenger who entered the cockpit witnessed the confrontation.
After the incident, the flight crew diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, where the aircraft landed safely. Flydubai confirmed that all passengers were accounted for and that the plane sustained no critical damage. Saudi aviation authorities have opened a formal investigation into the cockpit incident, while Israeli media has highlighted the violent nature of the altercation.
The incident has sparked renewed scrutiny of cockpit security protocols and crew conduct in commercial aviation. Both Saudi and Israeli aviation safety bodies are expected to review the event, and international aviation regulators may consider tightening regulations on pilot conduct and emergency response.
Investigation details are set to be released by Saudi authorities by the end of next week, and the airline will file a full incident report with international aviation safety organizations. Passengers who were on board are reportedly coping well, with many expressing relief that the plane landed without injury.