Investigation Underway After Attempted Attack on FlyDubai Flight to Tel Aviv

Midair Violence Erupts Two Hours Out of Dubai

The incident unfolded roughly two hours into the journey from Dubai to Tel Aviv, according to Israeli officials. The co-pilot attacked Captain Smit Machchhar on the flight deck, inflicting serious injuries. Data analyzed by BBC News indicated that the aircraft plunged approximately 17,000 feet, climbed 5,000 feet, and dropped another 7,000 feet before stabilizing.

Passengers and Off-Duty Pilots Secure the Flight Deck

Despite his injuries, Captain Machchhar managed to make an emergency call and unlock the cockpit door, allowing passenger Yaniv Hayoun and other travelers to enter. Hayoun told Netanyahu during a meeting that he grabbed the attacker in a chokehold and dragged him away from the instrument panel while other passengers and crew members helped secure the flight deck. Two off-duty pilots then took over the controls to guide the plane to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

Flydubai confirmed that its flights to and from Israel are suspended pending the outcome of the investigation and urged all parties to refrain from premature speculation. Most of the 174 passengers on board later boarded a replacement flydubai aircraft and arrived at Ben Gurion International Airport on Wednesday night.

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Netanyahu Weighs Suicide Attempt Versus Terror Intent

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Fox News it was "too early to say" whether there was any external state backing or Iranian involvement in the incident. Speaking separately to CBS News, Netanyahu characterized the cockpit struggle as a suicide attempt rather than a hijacking, pointing to witness accounts that the co-pilot attempted to jam equipment between the pilot seats rather than take control of the aircraft.

Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon labeled the incident a terror attack in an interview with Fox News, stating that authorities had no doubt of the intent to bring the plane down, even if direct links to a terror state remain unproven. Meanwhile, Israel’s foreign ministry briefed diplomats worldwide, characterizing the event as an attempted terrorist attack targeting Israelis, the United Arab Emirates, and the Abraham Accords.

Global Leaders React as Interrogations Loom

United States President Donald Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that the situation remained unclear following a conversation with Netanyahu, describing the co-pilot as "perhaps a terrorist or perhaps a whack-job."

Israeli officials speaking anonymously to reporters identified the suspect as an Omani national. An Omani official later confirmed to CBS News that the attacker was born in Oman and holds Omani citizenship. Netanyahu stated that the suspect was being questioned by Saudi authorities and would soon be transferred to Dubai, where Israeli officials would join the interrogation.

Injured Captain Praised for Lifesaving Resolve

Captain Machchhar, an Indian national from Mumbai, is receiving treatment at a hospital in Tabuk. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the pilot on X, commending his courage and resolve in preventing a major tragedy.