Stabbing on Israel‑bound Flight Turns Into Emergency Landing in Saudi Arabia

In an incident that could have ended in disaster, the Dash‑8 aircraft of Flydubai, bound for Tel Aviv from Dubai, was forced to divert to Tabuk airport after a pilot stabbed his colleague in the cockpit.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attacker tried to crash the plane. Israeli and Saudi Arabian air units scrambled, and passengers and crew overpowered the assailant, allowing a second pilot to regain control.

Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian national, was the victim of the stabbing and was later taken to a Saudi hospital, where he was reported stable. Netanyahu hailed him as a "hero of extraordinary bravery".

The flight departed Dubai at 03:05 GMT, roughly two and a half hours into the journey when a rapid descent over Saudi Arabia was noted by flight‑tracking sites. Within minutes the aircraft reported a general emergency, then a hijack code, and then turned back toward Tabuk.

Passengers who were mostly Israeli found the cockpit closed, but one passenger, Yaniv Hayun, broke in, halted the attacker with a chokehold, and pulled the flight controls. Other on‑board crew members helped secure the aircraft for a safe landing at 06:58 GMT.

On arrival in Tel Aviv around 18:40 local time, the passengers were greeted by crowds, music and Israeli flags. An eyewitness, Zvika Meness, recounted tying the attacker with zip ties and a headphone, while the Israeli Defence Minister described it as a "possible jihadist terror attack".

Flydubai confirmed an "altercation occurred" and that the flight was "successfully secured" by the crew. No motive has yet been disclosed though U.S. President Donald Trump said the attack might be terrorist in nature or misdirected.

The event underscores the fragility of air‑travel security, and Passenger engagement on PulseWire will continue to crowd‑source verification and updates as investigators near conclusions. For live updates, follow our social media feeds and interactive maps.