Pilot stabbed his co-pilot in apparent attempt to crash Israel-bound plane, Netanyahu says

Live updates

1. 2h ago

   FlyDubai Co-Pilot Stabbed Pilot in Attempt to Crash Israel-Bound Plane

   A FlyDubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia after a co-pilot stabbed Captain Smit Machchhar. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated the attacker intended to crash the aircraft and had undergone Islamic radical indoctrination. Passengers and crew helped subdue the assailant after Machchhar used his remaining energy to open the cockpit door. The Indian pilot has since spoken with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Saudi security services are currently interrogating the suspect as investigators determine if the event was a terror attack.

   Why it matters

   The incident occurred on FlyDubai flight 1073. It raises security concerns regarding how a weapon was brought into the cockpit of a commercial flight. The aircraft was diverted to Saudi Arabia to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.

   What is confirmed

   • A FlyDubai flight bound for Israel diverted to Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia after a stabbing in the cockpit.
   • Captain Smit Machchhar was stabbed by his co-pilot during the flight.
   • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated the co-pilot attempted to crash the plane.
   • The wounded pilot opened the cockpit door to allow passengers and crew to subdue the attacker.
   • Saudi security services are interrogating the accused pilot.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The event was a jihadist terror attack.

   What to watch next

   • Results of the Saudi security services interrogation
   • Official findings on how the weapon was smuggled aboard the aircraft
   • Confirmation of the attacker's motives and affiliations
   Sources used for this update (21)

   1. en.wikipedia.org — Aircraft pilot - Wikipedia
   2. pilotinstitute.com — How to Become a Pilot: A Complete Guide - Pilot Institute
   3. pilotcompany.com — Pilot Company | Travel Center & Gas Station Network
   4. Reuters — Israel-bound flight diverted to Saudi Arabia after brawl between pilots, Israeli official says
   5. NBC News — Israel-bound flight makes emergency landing in Saudi Arabia amid reports of bloody altercation
   6. www.cbsnews.com — Dubai to Israel flight makes emergency landing, passenger says "co-pilot tried to murder the pilot" and crash jet
   7. The Free Press — ‘I Ran Toward the Cockpit’: An Exclusive Interview with the Israeli Dad Who Stopped a Hijacking
   8. The Times of Israel — Wounded flydubai pilot used 'last moments of his energy' to click open cockpit door so hijacker could be subdued
   9. Bloomberg.com — A Bloody Stabbing, Then Screams: The Fight to Save FlyDubai 1073
   10. copilot.microsoft.com — Microsoft Copilot
   11. copilot.cloud.microsoft — Copilot | AI chat for work
   12. www.nbcnews.com — Pilot stabbed his co-pilot in apparent attempt to crash Israel-bound plane, Netanyahu says
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