A Flydubai flight carrying 174 people, mostly Israeli citizens, plummeted 17,000 feet in two minutes on September 30, 2026, after a cockpit struggle left one pilot stabbed. While the aircraft made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, Iranian state media outlet Press TV has alleged, without providing evidence, that the incident was a "false flag" operation orchestrated by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to draw the United States into a war with Iran.
The Cockpit Struggle and Emergency Landing
The flight, identified by BBC as FZ 1073, was en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv when the incident occurred approximately two and a half hours into the journey. According to Kompas.com, the pilot, identified as Indian national Captain Smit Machchhar, was stabbed by his copilot. Despite his injuries, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to intervene.
Reports from Kompas.com detail that passengers, including a woman named Tali Manes who first heard the commotion, helped subdue the attacker. Data from Flightradar24 confirmed the aircraft dropped over 5,180 meters in under two minutes before stabilizing and diverting to Saudi Arabia. BBC Verify confirmed that photographs of the Boeing 737 Max on the tarmac in Tabuk show visible damage to the aircraft’s tail fin. Yaniv Hayoun, who was photographed with his shirt still bloodied from the struggle, was among the passengers who entered the cockpit to assist.
Conflicting Narratives and Official Responses
Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly praised Captain Machchhar as a "hero," stating the pilot displayed "extraordinary courage" by preventing a potential disaster, according to BBC. While Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz described the event as a "jihadist terror attack," Netanyahu told Fox News that it was "too early" to definitively identify the motive or the forces behind the copilot, who is a citizen of Oman, as reported by Kompas.com. In the same interview, Netanyahu stated that Israel might participate in the investigation, noting he expected the suspect would be sent to the UAE, where the flight originated. Additionally, U.S. President Donald Trump remarked that Netanyahu had informed him an Israeli plumber was among those who helped prevent the crash.
The outlet alleges the goal was to frame Iran and influence U.S. President Donald Trump, though it offered no evidence or clear identification for its "regional sources." There has been no official response to these allegations from the governments of Israel, the UAE, or the United States.
Ongoing Investigation in Saudi Arabia
The suspected attacker is currently being held and interrogated by Saudi Arabian authorities. BBC reports that the injured pilot, Captain Machchhar, is in stable condition at a hospital in Tabuk. Flydubai has deployed replacement aircraft to transport the remaining passengers and crew, and the airline stated that the incident remains the subject of an official investigation. Saudi medical personnel provided aid to injured passengers, and an Israeli minister expressed gratitude to the Kingdom for their assistance. Following the event, the Israeli government ordered authorities to increase security for flights bound for Israel.
Questions Regarding the Flight Incident
Who is the pilot credited with saving the flight?
The pilot is Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian national. He was commended by both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his actions in subduing the attacker despite being stabbed. Modi stated in an X post, "India is proud of Captain Machchhar."
/data/photo/2026/10/02/6abe96ad8f756.jpg "Photo: Kompas.com")
What is the current status of the investigation?
The suspect, identified by Kompas.com as a citizen of Oman, is in the custody of Saudi Arabian authorities in Tabuk. Flydubai has announced that it is cooperating with the investigation, and Israeli officials have indicated a possible interest in participating in the probe.
Did the plane suffer structural damage?
Yes, BBC Verify confirmed that a verified photograph of the aircraft on the ground in Tabuk shows damage to the plane’s tail fin. The aircraft experienced a rapid loss of altitude, dropping 17,000 feet in two minutes before making an emergency landing.
Did you know?
The flight was carrying 174 people, the majority of whom were Israeli citizens, and the emergency was triggered when the aircraft issued a "squawk 7700" code, the international standard for an emergency situation. Passengers reported extreme panic inside the cabin as the aircraft descended.