The attack unfolded on a Boeing 737‑800 en route to Tel Aviv, when the Omani co‑pilot struck the Indian captain, causing a sudden plunge of nearly 14,000 feet within 30 seconds— a rare and terrifying event for the 170 people aboard.
Passengers and crew rushed into the cockpit, subdued the assailant, and a second pair of flydubai pilots brought the aircraft down safely in Saudi Arabia’s Tabuk, averting a potential disaster.
Captain Smit Machchhar was rendered stable and transported to Dubai for medical care. Saudi officials have now handed the co‑pilot over to the UAE, where he faces charges pending a full investigation.
Investigators are examining flight records, cockpit voice recordings, and passenger statements to determine the motive behind the midair assault, while the airline suspends the co‑pilot’s license.
The incident has prompted a review of cockpit security protocols across the Middle East, though the immediate next step is the scheduled court hearing in Dubai, set for next month.