New details have emerged overnight following the extraordinary incident aboard flydubai flight FZ1073, with the injured captain identified, investigators examining whether the attack involved terrorism or prior planning, and flydubai suspending its services to Israel.
Further details have emerged overnight about the extraordinary events aboard flydubai flight FZ1073, which was forced to divert to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after a violent altercation erupted on the flight deck.
Captain Smit Machchhar has been identified as the injured commander of the Boeing 737 MAX 8 and is reported to be in stable condition at a hospital in Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, the UAE Attorney-General has ordered a specialist investigation into the incident, which will examine not only what happened aboard the aircraft but whether the events were connected to terrorist activity, involved prior planning or were carried out under the direction of others.
flydubai has also temporarily suspended its services to and from Israel while the investigation continues.
Here’s what we know so far:
Captain Smit Machchhar Identified
The injured captain has now been identified as Indian national Smit Machchhar.
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate General in Jeddah confirmed that Machchhar was receiving treatment at a hospital in Tabuk following the incident.
He was reported to be in a stable condition, although a full medical update was still awaited.
The embassy said it was in contact with his family and Saudi authorities and would continue assisting.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has since publicly praised the flydubai captain, describing him as a “hero”.
Modi said Machchhar showed immense courage despite being seriously injured and credited his actions with helping save the lives of those aboard.
flydubai has not officially detailed the precise nature of the captain’s injuries.
Captain Reportedly Opened Cockpit Door Despite Injuries
More information has also emerged about the crucial moments during which passengers and crew gained access to the flight deck.
According to an account provided by a spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Reuters, Machchhar was lying injured and covered in blood when he managed to activate the release mechanism that allowed the cockpit door to be opened.
Passengers and crew then entered the flight deck and confronted the alleged attacker.
One of those passengers, Asaf Rajuan, subsequently described helping to restrain the individual. Another passenger, Yaniv Hayoun, said that those onboard heard screaming and felt the aircraft begin to descend before forcing their way into the cockpit. Hayoun said he restrained the alleged attacker and briefly grabbed the aircraft’s controls before other crew members took over.
These details come primarily from passenger accounts and Israeli officials and have not yet been independently established by the formal investigation.
flydubai Confirms Dead-Heading Crew Landed Aircraft
flydubai has now confirmed that on-duty crew travelling aboard the flight secured the aircraft, diverted it, and landed it safely at Tabuk Airport.
This provides official confirmation that the replacement crew did considerably more than assist during the emergency.
Earlier passenger accounts had described two other pilots travelling aboard being called forward following the confrontation.
The airline’s latest wording now states that the travelling flydubai crew subsequently diverted and safely landed the Boeing in Saudi Arabia.
All passengers and crew were accounted for following the landing.
What Happened to FZ1073?
Flight FZ1073 had departed Dubai International Airport (DXB) at 03:05 UTC on September 30 bound for Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV).
The Boeing climbed normally to a cruising altitude of 34,000 feet.
At approximately 0521 UTC, however, Flightradar24 data shows the aircraft entering a steep descent.
It then climbed sharply and descended rapidly again before eventually stabilising at about 15,000 feet. Reuters reported that the Boeing lost almost 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds during the incident.
At 0528:48 UTC, FZ1073 began transmitting squawk 7700, the internationally recognised transponder code for a general emergency.
Several minutes later, at approximately 0535 UTC, the aircraft switched to 7500 – the international code for unlawful interference.
It subsequently turned away from its original route and headed towards Tabuk before switching back to 7700.
UAE Opens Major Investigation
UAE Attorney-General Counsellor Dr Hamad Saif Al Shamsi has ordered the formation of a specialist Public Prosecution team to investigate FZ1073.
The team has already begun work alongside the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority and other relevant authorities.
Investigators have been instructed to gather evidence and establish the facts, circumstances and motives surrounding the incident.
Significantly, the investigation will also seek to establish whether what happened aboard FZ1073 was connected with “any terrorist activity or purpose”, or whether there was evidence of prior planning or direction.
Because the Boeing is registered in the UAE and flies under the country’s flag, UAE law applies to crimes committed aboard the aircraft even when they occur outside UAE territory.
The Attorney-General has urged the public and media not to speculate while investigators gather evidence.
The GCAA had previously officially classified what happened aboard FZ1073 as a “security incident”.
Investigators are examining both the operational and security aspects of the incident.
Saudi Arabia Also Investigating
Saudi Arabia has also launched an investigation following the aircraft’s diversion to Tabuk.
The country’s National Transport Safety Centre has deployed an aviation-safety investigation team to examine the circumstances surrounding the emergency and collect relevant evidence and information.
Saudi authorities handled the aircraft and those onboard after it arrived at Tabuk.
Tabuk Airport previously confirmed that both the captain and co-pilot had sustained injuries and were transferred to hospital.
The airport said air traffic control received a distress call from FZ1073 at 0844 local time. Emergency procedures were activated before the aircraft landed safely at 0945.
Motive Remains Unknown
Despite increasingly detailed accounts of what happened inside the cockpit, the motive remains one of the biggest unanswered questions.
Israeli officials have alleged that the co-pilot stabbed Captain Machchhar and attempted to bring the aircraft down.
Netanyahu has described the incident as a serious security event and said Saudi authorities were questioning the suspected attacker.
However, even Netanyahu cautioned overnight that it was too early to determine who, if anyone, was ultimately behind the incident when questioned about possible outside involvement.
flydubai itself has been similarly cautious. The airline said: “At this early stage, the underlying reasons and motives behind this event are unknown and remain subject to a formal investigation.”
It urged all parties to refrain from premature speculation while authorities establish the facts.
The UAE authorities have likewise not concluded that terrorism was the motive.
Passengers Finally Reach Israel
The passengers aboard FZ1073 eventually continued their journey from Saudi Arabia aboard a flydubai replacement aircraft.
Tabuk Airport confirmed that all passengers had departed for their final destination aboard the replacement service at 1740 local time on Wednesday. More than ten hours after the original emergency, passengers eventually arrived at Ben Gurion Airport.
Some subsequently spoke about their experiences aboard FZ1073.
Passenger Lital Shachaf described their survival as a “miracle”, while others recounted rushing towards the flight deck as the emergency unfolded.
Israel’s Magen David Adom ambulance service said a 51-year-old male passenger was subsequently taken to hospital with a mild upper-body injury.
flydubai Suspends Israel Flights
flydubai has now temporarily suspended its services to and from Israel.
The airline said it made the decision in coordination with the relevant authorities following the FZ1073 incident.
The suspension will remain in place while authorities investigate what happened and establish the facts surrounding the incident.
flydubai said: “The safety and wellbeing of our passengers, crew and operations remain our highest priority.”
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