- On Wednesday, a FlyDubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv experienced a sudden drop to 16,600 feet when the co-pilot attacked the pilot, leading to an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia after passengers restrained the co-pilot.
- The wounded captain, Smit Machchhar, and the co-pilot were transferred from Saudi Arabia to the UAE on Thursday.
- On Friday, the UAE canceled all flights to Israel, complicating travel for hundreds of passengers; Israel and the UAE agreed on repatriation flights beginning that day.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed the co-pilot had undergone 'Islamist radicalization' and warned that whoever sent him would pay a heavy price.
- On Sunday, El Al was expected to fly passengers from Dubai to Israel.
- The co-pilot, identified as an Omani citizen, came close to crashing the aircraft and killing all 182 people aboard; his motive is not publicly known.
- UAE senior diplomatic adviser Anwar Gargash called the FlyDubai attack a 'dangerous terrorist act' and credited the flight captain for preventing a catastrophe.
- Israeli investigators are involved in the probe, but the Emiratis are in the lead; currently, there is no evidence of a link with Iran.
- The flight captain, Smit Machchhar, described the attack, stating, 'I was fighting for my life' and realized that if he didn't get up, passengers would lose their lives.
A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv faced a near-catastrophe when a co-pilot attempted to crash the aircraft, leading to a violent struggle in the cockpit. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, has raised urgent questions about aviation security in a region already tense due to the U.S.-Iran war.18
The co-pilot, identified as an Omani citizen, reportedly underwent "Islamist radicalization", according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, although he provided no evidence to support this claim. President Donald Trump suggested potential links to Tehran, stating that if Iranian agents were involved, the U.S. would respond decisively.46
The attack has resulted in the UAE canceling all flights to Israel, complicating travel for many passengers. UAE senior diplomatic adviser Anwar Gargash condemned the incident as a "dangerous terrorist act", while the flight captain, Smit Machchhar, is being hailed as a hero for preventing a disaster. He described his ordeal, stating, "I had so many wounds. I had fallen down. I was fighting for my life."279
The flight made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after the co-pilot's attack, which left all 182 passengers on board shaken but unharmed. Investigations are ongoing, with Israeli and Emirati officials collaborating to uncover the motive behind the attack.
“The co-pilot, identified by Israeli officials as an Omani citizen, came close to crashing the aircraft and killing all 182 people aboard Wednesday's FlyDubai flight from Dubai. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed the co-pilot had undergone "Islamist radicalization" and warned, "whoever sent him will pay a very heavy price."”
