Flydubai plane faces hijack attempt, denied landing before emergency touchdown in Tabuk

Flydubai Flight 1073, en route to Israel, was the target of a hijacking when an unnamed co-pilot attacked captain Smit Machchhar, inflicting serious stab wounds to his head, arm and torso. Passengers intervened, stormed the cockpit and secured the aircraft, then issued a Mayday call asking for emergency landing clearance. Saudi Arabian air-traffic control initially denied the request, redirecting the plane into Jordanian airspace, where Jordanian military also delayed clearance.

After several minutes, the aircraft was finally cleared to proceed to Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia, where it touched down without further incident. Machchhar was rushed to a hospital and, according to Indian officials, remains in stable condition. Survivors were later flown to Tel Aviv on a rescue flight.