https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/12-minutes-of-madness-how-flydubai-pilot-passengers-saved-plane-midfallContinuously updated, source-cited coverage. https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/12-minutes-of-madness-how-flydubai-pilot-passengers-saved-plane-midfallhttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/12-minutes-of-madness-how-flydubai-pilot-passengers-saved-plane-midfall#u99616Sun, 04 Oct 2026 18:11:36 +0000Captain Smit Machchhar and several passengers saved 174 people on Flydubai flight FZ1073 after the co-pilot attacked the captain mid-air. The Boeing 737 plunged 17,000ft in less than two minutes during the struggle. Machchhar opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers and two off-duty relief pilots to subdue the attacker. The aircraft was subsequently diverted and landed safely at Tabuk Airport. The incident has sparked international debate regarding pilot screening and the safety of hardened cockpit doors.Why it mattersThe event involved a violent internal cockpit struggle that nearly resul