Netanyahu hugs passenger who saved pilot, tackled attacker aboard FlyDubai flight | Watch video

FlyDubai flight FZ1073, initially transmitted squawk code 7700, an international emergency signal, before sending code 7500, which indicates a hijacking or unlawful interference, as per Times of Israel. Reportedly, an altercation broke out in the cockpit of the flight.

A FlyDubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv reportedly escaped catastrophe when one of the pilots allegedly tried to stab his colleague. Amid the altercation in the cockpit, Israel’s i24 News reported that the attacking pilot tried to crash the plane. The flight was diverted to Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia successfully.

Netanyahu meets blood-soaked man who saved pilot

Amid this, a heroic effort was made by passengers who managed to subdue the alleged attacker, saving the injured pilot. One among them was seen meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In a viral video, Netanyahu is seen talking to the man. The man was wearing his blood-soaked T-shirt while sharing a hug with the PM.

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Quick answers to key questions

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QUESTIONS

On FlyDubai flight FZ1073, a violent altercation broke out in the cockpit where the co-pilot stabbed the captain, leading to a dramatic loss of altitude before the flight was successfully diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

The flight made an emergency landing due to an altercation between the pilots, during which one pilot attempted to stab the other and reportedly tried to crash the plane.

Passengers intervened by subduing the attacking co-pilot, with reports of them tying him up using multimedia headphones, allowing the remaining crew to regain control of the aircraft.

The pilot who was stabbed is Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian national working for FlyDubai, while the co-pilot who allegedly attacked him is identified as an Omani national.

The exact motive behind the altercation remains unclear as investigations are ongoing, but it is reported that one pilot attempted to damage the aircraft's systems, leading to serious security concerns.

What happened

The incident took place on Wednesday on FlyDubai flight FZ1073. According to Times of Israel, the flight carried about 180 passengers when the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the other pilot. Reportedly, after the stabbing, the flight lost control, briefly diving 17,000 feet in under a minute.

The Israeli media outlet added that two off-duty pilots reportedly took charge after the co-pilot, an Omani national, had been incapacitated by Israeli passengers after entering the cockpit.

Passengers recall attack

Tzvika Manes, CEO of Bank Leumi’s underwriting arm Barak Leumi, was among the passengers who reportedly subdued the attacker.

“My younger daughter was in the bathroom, and my wife heard sounds in the cockpit,” he told the Kan public broadcaster, as quoted by Times of Israel.

“Another team member entered the cockpit and saw the stabbing and threw him out. Three of us jumped on him with all our strength and tied him up with the multimedia headphones; that’s how we subdued him," he added further.

A passenger identified as Daniel, who was also travelling on the FlyDubai flight, told Channel 12 news, “Suddenly I heard a struggle. Something like a fight coming from the cockpit."

“The door was slightly ajar, and I saw an attempt to push someone out. Then three Israelis who were sitting behind me came to see what was happening, and the plane suddenly went into a very steep dive, nose down, with a very intense spin.

“From what I understood, a copilot stabbed the captain, and once they subdued the attacker, there were two other pilots on the plane, and they took control,” he said.

“The spinning stopped. It took some — I don’t know, it felt like an eternity, but I think it was two minutes, at least two or three minutes, during which the plane was simply diving and spinning like crazy,” Daniel recalled, adding, “It felt like, that’s it. It’s over. September 11 is happening again.”

An investigation has been launched. The motivation or cause behind the incident remains unknown.

About the Author

Sneha Biswas specialises in covering entertainment and pop culture, with a specialisation on Bollywood, Hollywood, OTT platforms, K-pop, K-dramas, and major developments in the US entertainment industry. She believes in telling stories that balance speed with substance, and in making entertainment journalism contextual, culturally aware, and reader-first rather than purely reactive.<br><br> With over six years of experience in digital media, Sneha currently serves as a Deputy Chief Content Producer at Live Mint. She has spent more than three and a half years with the HT Group and returned to the organisation in February 2025, joining Live Mint to uplift the entertainment section. Over the past year, she has been closely involved in entertainment coverage including breaking news, explainers, trend reporting, box office reports and analysis for the audience.<br><br> Sneha is Google News certified, having completed training focused on newsroom best practices, digital reporting, and SEO-driven content strategies. Her work reflects a strong understanding of audience behaviour, search trends, and the evolving consumption patterns of entertainment news across formats.<br><br> Prior to her current role, Sneha has worked across multiple content and editorial functions within digital newsrooms, building expertise in content planning, editing, and real-time coverage. Her professional interests lie at the intersection of entertainment, internet culture, and global pop trends.<br><br> Working for the National city team, Biswas closely follows global entertainment movements while maintaining a strong pulse on what is happening in India.

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