On March 23, 2024, flydubai flight FZ1073, bound from Dubai to Tel Aviv, plummeted 18,000 feet after a violent exchange in the cockpit. Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian national, was stabbed by the co‑pilot, an Omani national, who then attempted to crash the jet. Passengers and cabin crew wrestled the attacker and forced the cockpit door open, allowing a second pair of flydubai pilots on board to redirect the aircraft to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.
The co‑pilot, who joined flydubai only eight months ago, has been described by a fellow pilot as a religious extremist. He reportedly prayed excessively during the flight and refused to shake hands with women, according to a flydubai crew member. Flight attendant Rachna Patel recalled seeing the captain's bloodied hands as she tried to regain control.
Israel has no formal diplomatic ties with Oman, and Omani nationals are required to secure a visa before entering the country. Transportation Minister Miri Regev has demanded an inquiry into whether the United Arab Emirates breached its aviation agreement by allowing the co‑pilot to fly the jet. Some sources suggest the attacker holds dual citizenship, potentially explaining his presence on board.
Investigators are combing black‑box data and passenger videos to reconstruct the cockpit struggle. Netanyahu’s office confirmed the co‑pilot is in Israeli custody, but no charges have been filed yet, as the legal framework for prosecuting a foreign national in such a case is still being clarified.
The flight will be examined for procedural lapses, and the airlines involved are expected to review crew vetting protocols. A formal court hearing is anticipated for early next month, while the black‑box analysis is slated for release by the end of the week.