As of 1 October, flydubai has confirmed a cockpit altercation on flight FZ1073 from Dubai International to Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport on 30 September. The aircraft diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely. All passengers were accounted for.
Additional flydubai crew travelling aboard helped secure the aircraft and complete the diversion. Both operating pilots sustained injuries and were taken to hospital. The Indian captain, Smit Machchhar, was subsequently reported to be in a stable condition by India’s embassy in Saudi Arabia.
Israeli officials allege that the first officer stabbed the captain and attempted to crash the aircraft before being subdued. Those allegations have not been established by published investigation findings. Flight-tracking data showed a sharp descent, but the data alone cannot explain what happened in the cockpit.
Passengers left Tabuk on a replacement aircraft on Wednesday afternoon and reached Israel that evening. Flydubai also announced a suspension of services to and from Israel while investigations proceeded.
Saudi Arabia’s National Transport Safety Centre and the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority are investigating. The GCAA has urged the public to avoid pre-empting their conclusions. The motive, precise sequence of events and responsibility remain unresolved; no official final findings have been released.
Sources: news.flydubai.com, reuters.com, aa.com.tr
Aviation24.be keeps monitoring the developments of this Flydubai story. Here are the latest updates.
The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority has confirmed it is investigating the “security incident” aboard flydubai flight FZ1073 on 30 September, to establish its causes and circumstances. It has not announced findings on the alleged attack or motive.
A senior flydubai official told The National that the aircraft’s rudder was damaged and that investigators would need access to the flight recorders to clarify events. The cause and extent of that damage have not been publicly established.
Source: The National
Saudi Arabia’s National Transport Safety Centre has formally opened an aviation safety investigation into flydubai flight FZ1073. Investigators are coordinating with the relevant authorities to collect evidence and establish the circumstances surrounding the emergency landing at Tabuk on 30 September.
The inquiry will run alongside work by the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority, which is examining both operational and security aspects of the incident. Neither authority has yet published findings concerning the cockpit altercation, the aircraft damage or the motive.
Source: Emirates News Agency, f.aa.com.tr
Captain Smit Machchhar remains in hospital in Tabuk following the cockpit incident aboard flydubai flight FZ1073. The Indian government described him on 1 October as “gravely injured” but safe and receiving medical care, while Reuters reported that he was recovering in Saudi Arabia.
No further medical details have been released, and investigators have yet to publish findings on the circumstances or motive behind the attack.
Source: reuters.com
1 October 2026 — UAE Attorney-General Dr Hamad Saif Al Shamsi has appointed a team of specialised public prosecutors to investigate the incident aboard flydubai flight FZ1073, according to the official Emirates News Agency, WAM. This adds a prosecutorial inquiry to the aviation investigations already announced.
The announcement provides no findings on motive or responsibility. Israeli allegations that the first officer stabbed the captain and attempted to crash the aircraft remain unconfirmed by published investigation conclusions.
Source: WAM report published by Gulf News.
The UAE Public Prosecution has clarified that its investigation into flydubai flight FZ1073 will examine the circumstances and motive behind the cockpit altercation, including whether it involved terrorist activity, advance planning or external direction.
The Attorney-General said the UAE has jurisdiction because the Boeing 737 MAX 8 is registered in the country. Investigators are working with the General Civil Aviation Authority and other relevant authorities to gather evidence. No conclusion on motive or responsibility has yet been reached, and officials have warned against speculation.
Source: Emirates News Agency.
Captain Smit Machchhar, injured during the cockpit incident aboard flydubai flight FZ1073, is now receiving hospital treatment in the UAE following his initial care in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
On 1 October 2026, India’s ambassador to the UAE, Deepak Mittal, visited the captain and his family. The Indian embassy said Machchhar was “in good health and recovering well” and remained in close contact with local authorities over his continued care.
Very reassured to meet Capt Smit. Thank the UAE government for their support and medical care being extended. https://t.co/1cnI8phq16
— Deepak Mittal (@d_mittal73) October 1, 2026
This post was published on 1 October 2026 10:35
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