Pilot and passengers thwart suspected Flydubai cockpit attack

Photo — Rafael Cosquiere / Pexels

The Boeing 737 descended sharply during the incident before landing safely in Tabuk, northwestern Saudi Arabia. The captain, identified in reports as Indian pilot Smit Machchhar, was seriously injured and praised for his actions, while the co-pilot—identified as an Omani national—was arrested and questioned by Saudi authorities. Israeli officials said the episode prompted a major security response, including preparations for a possible hijacking; the motive and the attacker’s precise actions remain under investigation.

Sources: CNN, News4Jax, The Straits Times, SBS News, Xinhua