A routine flight turned frightening, and then ended safely.
A flydubai Boeing 737 traveling from the United Arab Emirates to Israel was diverted to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after a violent struggle broke out between the flight's two pilots. According to passengers and authorities, one of the pilots attacked the other during the altercation, and the aircraft sent out an emergency signal before being safely redirected. The plane eventually continued on to its destination, landing passengers at Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv. No fatalities were reported, and the aircraft landed intact.
Accounts from onboard describe a chaotic scene, with passengers saying they could hear screaming during the incident. Reporting since the flight has focused on the actions of the co-pilot, Smit Machchhar, who is being hailed as a hero for his role in regaining control of the situation and ensuring the aircraft landed safely. Speaking afterward, Machchhar said his only concern in the moment was making sure everyone walked off the plane safely, reflecting the instinct that guided his response during the emergency.
Exactly what prompted the confrontation in the cockpit has not been fully explained publicly, and different outlets have described the episode differently, with some characterizing it as an attempted hijacking or deliberate attempt to crash the aircraft and others describing it more simply as a violent struggle between the two crew members. Aviation authorities and flydubai are expected to investigate the incident further, including the state of the pilot involved and what safeguards, if any, failed or held during the emergency. The flight's diversion to Saudi Arabia before continuing to Israel also highlights the close coordination among regional air traffic authorities that allowed the aircraft to land quickly and safely once the emergency signal went out.
Expect flydubai and aviation safety regulators to release further details on what caused the cockpit struggle and whether any procedural changes will follow.
Was anyone hurt on the flydubai flight?
No fatalities were reported, though the cockpit struggle involved violence between the two pilots.
Where did the flight end up landing?
After diverting to Saudi Arabia, the aircraft continued on and landed at Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv.