Passengers and Pilot Thwart Attempted Crash of Flydubai Flight
Passengers and crew subdued an Omani co-pilot who stabbed the captain and attempted to crash a Tel Aviv-bound flight, forcing an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
A Flydubai Boeing 737 Max 8 traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, on September 30, 2026, after an Omani co-pilot stabbed the captain in an attempt to crash the aircraft. The attack caused the plane to plummet from 34,000 feet to approximately 15,000 feet in under two minutes, resulting in structural damage to the rudder and tail. Despite his injuries, Captain Smit Machchhar unlocked the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to storm the flight deck and overpower the assailant. Israeli passenger Yaniv Hayoun is credited with subduing the attacker in a chokehold and leveling the aircraft's controls.
Israeli fighter jets were scrambled as the aircraft transmitted hijacking codes, though they turned back before entering Saudi airspace. Two off-duty pilots on board eventually stabilized the plane and landed it safely at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport. The co-pilot was arrested by Saudi authorities, while Captain Machchhar was hospitalized and later airlifted to Abu Dhabi for specialized treatment.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz characterized the event as a thwarted jihadist terror attack, with Netanyahu stating the attacker underwent "Islamist radical indoctrination." However, Flydubai and UAE authorities have urged against premature speculation while a joint investigation continues. The incident sparked a political dispute in Israel, with opposition leader Yair Lapid accusing Netanyahu of politicizing the event ahead of the October 27 general election. In response to the security breach, Israel ordered increased security screenings for all pilots flying into the country, and Flydubai temporarily suspended flights to and from Israel.
