Flydubai Flight Lands in Saudi Arabia After Cockpit Attack

A Flydubai Boeing 737 flight carrying 174 passengers from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, after a mid-air cockpit attack left the captain injured. While initial reports pointed to a crew dispute, Israeli officials later alleged the incident was a targeted attempt by the co-pilot to crash the aircraft.

Emergency Descent Over Saudi Airspace and Cockpit Struggle

The flight departed Dubai at 7:05 a.m. local time on Wednesday, bound for Ben Gurion Airport. Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 shows that roughly two and a half hours into the journey, while flying over Saudi Arabia, the aircraft experienced a sudden and dramatic loss in altitude, dropping more than 17,000 feet—over 5,000 meters—in less than two minutes.

During the rapid descent, the aircraft briefly broadcast emergency squawk code 7700 before switching to code 7500, the standard aviation signal for a hijacking. The plane briefly entered Jordanian airspace before turning back toward Saudi Arabia for a manual landing in Tabuk, where the airfield serves both civil and military functions.

Inside the flight deck, a violent confrontation unfolded between the captain, identified as Indian national Smith Machhar, and the first officer, identified as an Omani national. According to passenger accounts gathered by Israeli media, passengers heard screams from the cockpit before the door opened to reveal blood, with one of the pilots having been stabbed with a folding knife. Passenger Cvika Meness told Kan News that travelers and crew bound the attacker using his own belts and headphone cords.

Conflicting Official Assessments of Motive

Authorities offered starkly different interpretations of the cockpit altercation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the first officer deliberately attempted to crash the plane, according to reports. Netanyahu praised Captain Machhar and passengers for intervening to stop the attacker and prevent a catastrophe that threatened 174 lives, including Israeli citizens. Similarly, Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir asserted that the emergency landing was forced by a terrorist plot aimed at destroying the aircraft and killing approximately 180 people on board.

Early reports from local outlets initially pointed toward a crew dispute rather than a coordinated attack. Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Captain Machhar on the platform X for displaying immense courage and determination under extreme danger to protect passenger lives.

Passenger Intervention and Hospitalization in Tabuk

Tabuk airport authorities confirmed that both pilots sustained injuries during the struggle and were transported to a local hospital for treatment. The Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia later stated that Captain Machhar remains in stable condition.

Passengers aboard the flight played a direct role in subduing the attacker after breaching the cockpit, with medical professionals among the travelers providing immediate first aid to the injured captain. Saudi authorities detained the suspect following the aircraft’s safe landing, and questioning is currently underway by local security services.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Flight

Where did the Flydubai flight land after the emergency?

The Boeing 737 diverted to Tabuk Airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely at 6:58 a.m. local time.

How many people were on board the aircraft?

The flight was carrying 174 passengers, including 27 children, alongside the flight crew.

What emergency codes did the aircraft transmit?

Flightradar24 data shows the aircraft transmitted emergency code 7700 before briefly switching to code 7500, which signals a hijacking.

More on this story: Flydubai Flight to Israel Diverts to Saudi Arabia After Cockpit Altercation · Israel: Copilot Attempted Terror Attack on Flydubai Flight