On March 15, a flydubai Boeing 737 MAX operating as flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv was forced to divert after a violent confrontation erupted in the cockpit. Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian‑origin pilot formerly with SpiceJet, engaged in a physical struggle with the Omani co‑pilot who appeared intent on crashing the aircraft.
During the clash, the aircraft began a rapid descent, prompting an emergency signal that led air traffic controllers to direct the plane toward Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia. While the pilots sustained injuries, the crew on board, including several Israeli passengers, entered the flight deck and helped restrain the co‑pilot, allowing Captain Machchhar to regain control.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the passengers for their quick action, describing them as heroes who averted a potential disaster. Israel’s defence minister labeled the episode a jihadist terrorist attempt, emphasizing that the attacker sought to bring down the
Image: siasat.com
📰 Source: Siasat Gulf