On September 30, 2026, a Flydubai Boeing 737 MAX 8 traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv experienced a sudden and violent incident at cruising altitude. While the aircraft was over Jordanian airspace, the co-pilot—identified as an Omani national—stabbed the captain, Smit Machchhar, and forced the plane into a rapid descent of roughly 17,000 feet within two minutes. The aircraft’s altitude loss and abrupt dive triggered emergency signals and a hijacking alert, prompting regional military forces to scramble.
Background of the suspect
Investigators uncovered that the attacker had previously been employed by Oman Air as a co-pilot trainee in 2024. During that tenure, security officials discovered he possessed extremist documentation, leading to a one-year grounding from flight duties while he remained in an administrative capacity. Despite the restriction, he later joined Flydubai and was placed in the cockpit of a flight destined for Israel, raising serious questions about the vetting processes of both airlines.
The mid-air assault and the fight for control
According to multiple eyewitnesses, the co-pilot attacked the captain with a blade while the plane was cruising at approximately 17,000 feet. The stabbing caused the captain to lose control, and the aircraft entered a steep dive. Passengers described a chaotic scene: overhead bins burst open, cabin lighting flickered, and a palpable sense of terror spread through the cabin. An Israeli plumber, Yaniv Hayoun alongside three other passengers, rushed to the front of the plane. Hayoun reported that he physically pulled back on the control column to stabilize the aircraft until a third pilot, who had been seated among the travelers, took over the controls.
During the struggle, Dr. Shota Musaev a dentist traveling on the flight, intervened and helped restrain the attacker on the cabin floor. While being tied up, the suspect repeatedly pleaded, “Kill me please, kill me,” a statement later confirmed by Musaev. The captain, despite his injuries, received immediate medical assistance from Dr. Musaev, who performed first-aid treatment on the spot.
Safe landing and official reactions
Thanks to the combined efforts of the crew and the heroic passengers, the aircraft managed to level off and subsequently landed safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia. All 170 passengers were accounted for and suffered no serious injuries. The captain and the co-pilot were transported to a local hospital for further evaluation.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the incident, describing the co-pilot’s actions as stemming from “Islamist radicalisation” and emphasizing that the individual intended to crash the plane with all aboard. He warned that those responsible for facilitating the attack would face severe repercussions. Israeli officials also highlighted the bravery of the passengers, likening the thwarted tragedy to a potential “9/11-style” disaster.
Saudi authorities transferred the suspect to the United Arab Emirates on October 2, 2026, where a formal investigation is now under the jurisdiction of the UAE prosecutor-general. Israeli, Saudi, Emirati and Omani officials are cooperating to determine how the attacker, previously flagged as a security risk, was cleared to fly with Flydubai and to assess any broader network involvement.
