Captain Smit Machchhar was seriously injured aboard a Tel Aviv-bound flight carrying 174 people before passengers and crew subdued the alleged attacker and the aircraft landed safely in Saudi Arabia.
Israel is preparing to strengthen security checks for pilots operating flights into the country after a flydubai co-pilot allegedly stabbed an Indian captain and attempted to crash a passenger aircraft bound for Tel Aviv.
The incident occurred aboard flydubai flight FZ1073, travelling from the United Arab Emirates to Israel with 174 people on board, most of them Israeli nationals.
According to Israeli officials, the co-pilot allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar inside the cockpit, leaving him seriously injured. Despite his injuries, Machchhar fought back and managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to intervene and overpower the alleged attacker.
Other pilots travelling aboard the aircraft subsequently took control of the flight and diverted it to Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Machchhar’s actions and confirmed that Saudi authorities had arrested the co-pilot and were interrogating him.
Israel announces stricter pilot screening
Following the incident, Israeli authorities announced plans to strengthen security procedures for flight crews operating services to the country.
Doron Spielman, spokesperson for the Israeli prime minister’s office, told Reuters that Israel intends to verify the identities of all pilots flying into the country and conduct additional security checks.
The proposed measures are aimed at strengthening pilot vetting and addressing potential security vulnerabilities involving airline personnel.
The incident has raised questions about existing screening procedures for flight crews and the safeguards in place to prevent security threats originating inside an aircraft’s cockpit.
Meanwhile, flydubai has urged caution against speculation, emphasizing that several details surrounding the incident remain unclear.
The investigation is continuing as authorities examine the circumstances of the alleged attack and the security procedures in place before the flight departed.
