Passengers aboard a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv have recounted a terrifying cockpit struggle after the copilot allegedly attacked the captain and the aircraft plunged 17,000 feet in less than two minutes.
BY PC Bureau
October 1, 2026: Passengers aboard a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv have described a terrifying midair struggle in which the aircraft plunged thousands of feet after the copilot allegedly attacked the captain and attempted to take control of the plane.
According to accounts reported by The Times of Israel, the Boeing aircraft dropped about 17,000 feet in less than two minutes before several Israeli passengers and crew members managed to reach the cockpit, overpower the alleged attacker and help regain control of the aircraft.
The plane eventually made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Most of the passengers later continued their journey to Israel on a replacement flydubai aircraft and arrived safely at Ben Gurion Airport.
The captain, 39-year-old Indian national Smit Machchhar, suffered serious stab wounds to his head and hands. The Times of Israel, citing accounts from passengers, reported that Machchhar used his remaining strength to unlock the cockpit door, allowing passengers to enter and intervene.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu subsequently described Machchhar as a “true hero” who had saved 174 people. Machchhar, who lives in Dubai, has more than 13 years of aviation experience, including over four years with flydubai.
Three Israeli passengers — Yaniv Hayun, Assaf Rajwan and Tzvika Manes — were among those who entered the cockpit, together with crew members.
Hayun told The Times of Israel that he pulled the alleged attacker away from the controls and then took hold of the aircraft’s controls as the plane was diving. Asked how he knew what to do, Hayun reportedly told Netanyahu: “I watch Mayday,” referring to the Canadian air-crash documentary series.
Off-duty pilots travelling on the aircraft subsequently assisted in flying the plane to Tabuk. Passengers also used corded headphones to restrain the alleged attacker, whom Israeli media reports identified as an Omani national. He was reportedly held for about 55 minutes.
Israeli dentist Dr. Shota Musayev treated Machchhar for heavy bleeding from his head and also said he helped restrain the attacker.
#WATCH: Israeli passengers rush the cockpit to rescue their Flydubai flight after the copilot attempted to hijack it. pic.twitter.com/rs9L3EzL2B
— Israel National News – Arutz Sheva (@ArutzSheva_En) September 30, 2026
“These were very hard moments, but together with a few brave people on the plane, we managed to avert a situation that was very close to a disaster,” Musayev said.
A 51-year-old passenger was taken to hospital with upper-body injuries and was reported to be in good condition. Other passengers received medical attention at the Saudi airport.
The flight was carrying 166 Israelis and eight other passengers. After spending around six hours on the ground in Saudi Arabia, some passengers initially refused to board a replacement flydubai aircraft.
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Israel had sought to send its own aircraft to bring the passengers home, but Saudi authorities reportedly declined the request. Mossad officials vetted the replacement crew before passengers agreed to continue the journey.
The aircraft eventually arrived at Ben Gurion Airport, where passengers were greeted by relatives and officials, including Netanyahu, who met Hayun.
Passenger Lital Shahar, who was travelling with her four daughters, described two events as “miracles”: the passengers who rushed into the cockpit and the presence of off-duty pilots capable of landing the aircraft.
‘There were amazing Israeli men and women on flight and we survived because of them’ — Flydubai passenger pic.twitter.com/8wVU0ZXXXW
— RT Intl (@RT_on_X) September 30, 2026
She also praised the response at Tabuk airport, saying soldiers, nurses and doctors repeatedly reassured passengers that they were safe.
Rajwan described the ordeal as a “to be or not to be” moment, while Manes recalled hearing his young daughters scream that they did not want to die as the aircraft plunged.
The accounts were given by passengers at Ben Gurion Airport and to Israeli media and were reported by The Times of Israel. The circumstances surrounding the alleged cockpit attack, including the motive and sequence of events, remain under investigation.
