Flydubai flight diverts to Saudi Arabia amid reports of pilot fight


Co-pilot accused of trying to hijack Flydubai plane probably acted alone, Israeli sources say

Tel Aviv — The co-pilot accused of attacking his colleague on board the Flydubai flight to Israel and trying to seize the controls probably acted alone, Israeli sources told CNN.
International investigators are still working to determine a motive but an Israeli official said information from the inquiry suggested the suspect acted alone.

Another Israeli source said that, at the moment, Israel does not know of any link to a group or government. Both stressed this was their understanding so far.

In the aftermath of the attack, US President Donald Trump said that the suspect could be linked to Iran “based on what I’m hearing.” But he gave no other details.
 
Flydubai captain gave details of the attack in the cockpitSmith Matchhar told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu how the co-pilot attacked him during the flight. According to the captain, before the attack, the terrorist stepped away to pray.“

He stepped away to pray. There’s nothing wrong with that. Out of respect, I looked forward and didn’t look back. Four or five minutes later, I felt a strong blow to the back of my head. At first I thought something had happened to the plane, but the blows continued,” Matchhar said.

The captain tried to stop the attacker, but could barely see anything, and the plane suddenly went into a dive. He managed to open the cockpit door, but the co-pilot slammed it shut.

Matchhar said that he lay on the floor and heard the hum of the plane and the screams of the passengers. Gathering his remaining strength, he rushed to the door again and opened it.

“I understood that I would die if I didn’t do it. There were already people waiting behind the door. They pounced on him and took control,” the captain said.


https://twitter.com/x/status/2106661050661625961
 

Israelis stranded in Saudi Arabia: Inside the flydubai ordeal - The Jerusalem Post​

An Israeli passenger seated by the cockpit of flydubai flight FZ1073 recounts the hijack attempt and how passengers took charge.

Tal, who asked that only his first name be used, lives abroad and was flying from Dubai to Israel to help care for his mother when the aircraft suddenly lurched on Wednesday, September 30.

Within moments, passengers in the front of the cabin were subduing one of the pilots while others worked to keep the wounded Indian pilot alive.

Tal recognized that two off-duty pilots were sitting beside him and urged them into the empty cockpit. They flew the plane to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

Once he had a signal, he texted his wife: "There is a terror attack. We're going through a kidnap attempt. Please report it."

Tal texted with The Jerusalem Post from the morning of the incident until he landed in Israel that evening, and his frustration with the early coverage is a thread throughout this interview.

He says much of the international media first reported a dispute between two pilots, and he disputes Israeli reports that the attacker shouted "Allahu Akbar."

He argues that first headlines stick, and that the coverage reflects a double standard when Israelis and Jews are the targets.

He also describes the children on board, whom he calls "the true heroes of this flight," and how he helped calm frightened passengers in Saudi Arabia before the replacement flight home.
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sefeddt said:
Flydubai captain gave details of the attack in the cockpitSmith Matchhar told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu how the co-pilot attacked him during the flight. According to the captain, before the attack, the terrorist stepped away to pray.“

He stepped away to pray. There’s nothing wrong with that. Out of respect, I looked forward and didn’t look back. Four or five minutes later, I felt a strong blow to the back of my head. At first I thought something had happened to the plane, but the blows continued,” Matchhar said.

The captain tried to stop the attacker, but could barely see anything, and the plane suddenly went into a dive. He managed to open the cockpit door, but the co-pilot slammed it shut.

Matchhar said that he lay on the floor and heard the hum of the plane and the screams of the passengers. Gathering his remaining strength, he rushed to the door again and opened it.

“I understood that I would die if I didn’t do it. There were already people waiting behind the door. They pounced on him and took control,” the captain said.


https://twitter.com/x/status/2106661050661625961
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Yeah lots of praying went on.
"I know God ⁠saved me," said an emotional Machchhar, who is from Modi's home state of Gujarat. He told the prime minister he recited a Hindu prayer to the monkey god Hanuman during ⁠the ordeal.
Click to expand...
https://www.reuters.com/world/india...ydubai-cockpit-door-during-attack-2026-10-02/

Monkey god after the ordeal: "It was just a prank, bro."
 
Vorastra said:
Religious Jews don't eat bacon either. 🥲
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I had to google it, but the last Jewish (attempted) aircraft hijacking was in the Soviet Union in 1970:
en.wikipedia.org

Dymshits–Kuznetsov hijacking affair - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org
The Dymshits–Kuznetsov aircraft hijacking affair, also known as The First Leningrad Trial or Operation Wedding, was an attempt to hijack a small civilian aircraft on 15 June 1970 by a group of 16 Soviet refuseniks in order to escape to Israel. Even though the attempt was unsuccessful, it was a notable event in the course of the Cold War because it drew international attention to human rights violations in the Soviet Union and resulted in the temporary loosening of emigration restrictions.
Click to expand...
 
Blue Shirt said:
I'm aware.

Religious Jews are also not very inclined to hijack planes.
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Yes, but EL AL not being able to fly in or out of Israel might be the weak point in your cunning bacon plan.

Although loads of Jews and Muslims eat bacon anyway.
 
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