FlyDubai live: Passenger 'grabbed attacker and took controls' after pilot 'stabbed' on Israel flight

FlyDubai live: Passenger 'grabbed attacker and took controls' after pilot 'stabbed' on Israel flight A pilot has been arrested after allegedly attempting to crash FlyDubai flight FZ1073 as it headed from Dubai to Tel Aviv in what Israeli sources reportedly believe to have been a '9/11 scenario' A passenger onboard a FlyDubai flight bound for Israel which was forced into an emergency landing after one pilot allegedly attacked another says he grabbed the aggressor and then took the controls. FlyDubai flight FZ1073 issued an emergency hijacking alert shortly after 6.30am BST today. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu alleged one of the pilots "stabbed the other pilot and apparently tried to crash the plane". Israeli security services believe there may have been a plan to crash the aircraft into an Israeli city in a "9/11 scenario". Mr Netanyahu has now said he has met a passenger called Yoniv who he says "broke into the cockpit" and is a "great hero". Yaniv says in footage: "When I entered, I saw the attacker on the instruments, between the two seats... there were no pilots in the seats. "One was down, one was on the instruments. And another guy came in with me. I grabbed the attacker, put him in a chokehold, and pulled him - first and foremost - outside." He says he then pulled at the controls. The accused pilot is believed to be from Oman, while the pilot who was stabbed has been named as Indian national Smit Machchhar in his home country, where he has been hailed as a hero for "fighting back", and by Mr Netanyahu. Two other pilots, who were on board ahead of connection flight from Tel Aviv, reportedly helped take control of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft and land it. A passenger claimed one of them was British. Terrified witnesses say brave passengers had managed to restrain the alleged attacker after hearing screams as the plane, carrying around 150 people, plummeted 17,000ft in two minutes. Key Events Netanyahu names 'true hero' pilot who 'prevented catastrophic mid-air disaster' Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has praised the pilot of flydubai flight FZ1073, describing him as a "true hero". He said: "My salute to the Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his extraordinary bravery. "Despite being stabbed and seriously injured, he fought back, resisted, opened the cockpit door, and enabled passengers and crew to overpower the attacker — preventing a catastrophic mid-air disaster. "He saved the lives of 174 people, including Israeli citizens and other nationals. "I wish Captain Machchhar a speedy and full recovery. He is a true hero." Multiple crew members injured A number of crew members on board flight FZ1073 were injured in today's incident. Emirates News Agency Wam reports that "the incident resulted in injuries to some of the aircraft crew". The workers were taken to hospital to receive treatment for their wounds in Saudi Arabia. Ed Miliband 'deeply concerned' about plane incident Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said he is "very relieved" that the plane eventually landed safely. In a message on X posted this evening, he wrote: "Deeply concerned about the incident that occurred on the Flydubai flight to Israel and very relieved that the plane landed safely thanks to the actions of those on board. "All of my thoughts are with those injured in the attack and all those on the plane, as well as their families." Attacker 'tied with zip ties and headphones' Zvika Meness is another passenger who said he helped tackle the attacker, telling Israeli media the assailant was "tied up with zip ties and headphones". Mr Meness explained that a pilot who was in the passenger cabin entered the cockpit after hearing shouting. He said: "Then we saw stabbings and they were thrown out. It was a very difficult incident. Three of us jumped in and neutralised him. "Another pilot who was sitting in the passenger cabin went in to replace the additional pilot, and they essentially landed the plane." Mr Meness said "three of us jumped" on the attacker "forcefully" before they tied him up with "his own zip ties" and headphones. "That is how we neutralised him," he said. 'True hero' passenger 'pulled controls' of plane after pulling attacker out of cockpit One of the passengers, a man called Yoniv, has been labelled as a "true hero" by Benjamin Netanyahu. The Israeli PM posted a video of him meeting Yoniv, asking the passenger if the blood on his T-shirt was that of the attacker. He replied: "It's from him, yes." Netanyahu then tells Yoniv that "it's simply unbelievable what you did". The passenger then told the Prime Minister about how he broke through the door, saying he struggled at first as the stabbed pilot was too close to the door. He manage to open it, however, before the stabbed pilot "collapsed", revealing the attacker "on the instruments, between the two seats". Yoniv explained he then "grabbed the attacker, put him in a chokehold and pulled him outside". The passenger said the attacker was "trying to destroy the instruments in order to disable the plane". Yoniv was then helped by other passengers to "pin down and keep the attacker secure" before he "pulled the controls [of the aircraft]". Surprised, Netanyahu asked: "You pulled the controls?" Yoniv replied: "I watch Air Crash Investigation, Mr Prime Minister. The plane started to level out a bit more and then the pilot told me he was taking control from there." Suspected hijacking 'thought to be 9/11 scenario' Today's suspected hijacking could have been part of a 9/11-style plot to crash the FlyDubai plane into a tower block in the Israeli capital, Tel Aviv, Israeli security sources have told The Telegraph. A source told said that Israeli security services believe one of the pilots onboard flight FZ1073 may have planned to crash the aircraft in an Israeli city. The incident is "thought to be a 9/11 scenario" where one pilot kills the other and crashes the plane, the source added. Passengers' relief after landing In pictures: Passengers arrive at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv Passengers have been pictured arriving at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, near Tel Aviv, after what has been described as a "terrifying" ordeal. After arriving safely, some were seen raising their arms or making a thumbs-up gesture in relief, while others looked visibly shaken. 'Thank God I am alive,' says passenger on board FlyDubai plane We’re now hearing accounts from passengers who have just landed at Israel's Ben Gurion Airport on a replacement flight. One passenger on board the FlyDubai plane described the moment the aircraft descended rapidly as "very, very terrifying". Speaking to reporters at Ben Gurion Airport, the man said he was sitting next to his wife and young son when he felt the plane drop by "about 6km". He said he believed he was going to "lose my family", adding: "Thank God I am alive." 'Hero' pilot stabbed by alleged attacker is reportedly named A pilot stabbed during the incident on today's FlyDubai flight has been named by Indian media outlets as Smit Machchhar, an Indian national. Machchhar has been praised for reportedly fighting back against the alleged attacker and alerting the crew and passengers to what was happening. He describes himself on LinkedIn as an airline captain with more than 13 years of commercial Boeing 737 experience and 9,750 flying hours. Machchhar's condition remains unclear. Saudi Arabia's Tabuk Airport earlier said both pilots had been hospitalised after sustaining injuries. EU aviation agency gathering 'additional information' on incident The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has said it is gathering "additional information" from FlyDubai and the UAE's aviation authority on today's incident. Separately, the agency today issued an advisory to airlines over Saudi airspace following an increase in Houthi attacks. The latest advisory on Saudi Arabia does not mention the FlyDubai aircraft that was diverted to the country today. The advisory states: "As a consequence of the military conflict between the United States and Iran, the regional security situation remains highly volatile, with significant kinetic military activity affecting Saudi airspace." In a separate bulletin, EASA recommends that airlines avoid operating in Jordanian airspace at all altitudes and flight levels. Replacement flight lands at Ben Gurion Airport The replacement flight carrying passengers from the FlyDubai plane that was diverted to Saudi Arabia has now landed in Israel. According to flight-tracking data, the plane touched down at Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv about 20 minutes ago. US ambassador to Israel says incident could have been 'horrific' US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said the incident could have been "horrific", but that everyone was safe. "Details still unclear but Israelis on board helped subdue the copilot who apparently tried to take over the plane. Could have been a horrific incident but everyone safe," he wrote on X. Saudi airport confirms all passengers have left country Tabuk Airport has confirmed that all passengers who were on board the diverted FlyDubai plane have left Saudi Arabia on a replacement flight. Ambulances have been pictured waiting at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv for the passengers' arrival. 'British pilot one of two pilots who landed FlyDubai plane' One passenger on board the FlyDubai plane told reporters that two pilots in the back, who were aboard the plane for a subsequent connection flight, landed the plane, according to the BBC. Almog Itali described them as "relief pilots" and said one was British and the other was European. He said that while the exact details, including what happened in the cockpit, remained unclear, "what is clear is that there were two pilots in the front - one stabbed the other". He said the two pilots in the back stabilised the aircraft and landed it in Saudi Arabia. Everything we know so far about the terrifying incident A passenger plane plunged 14,000ft in just 29 seconds after a fight reportedly broke out between two pilots. The terrifying incident unfolded on a FlyDubai flight carrying around 150 people from Dubai to Tel Aviv, with passengers said to have rushed the cockpit as chaos erupted on board. An emergency hijacking code was triggered following fears one of the pilots was trying to take control of the aircraft and crash it in a suspected terror attack. One pilot was reportedly stabbed during the ordeal and the pilot who carried out the stabbing has been arrested. The aircraft was eventually diverted to Saudi Arabia, while the accused pilot is said to be being questioned over the incident. Video: Passengers heard screaming as plane descends rapidly In footage circulating widely online, including on Israeli news outlets, passengers can be heard screaming as the FlyDubai plane makes a rapid descent. 'There were terrible screams from kids who didn't want to die,' passenger tells Israeli outlet An Israeli passenger on the FlyDubai flight told The Jerusalem Post that he helped get the additional pilots to the front of the aircraft when the plane was "diving". "There were terrible screams from children who didn’t want to die," he told the outlet. He said Israeli passengers pulled the alleged attacker out of the cockpit and helped the other pilots get inside. He said passengers used "charging cables" to restrain the alleged attacker. After the plane landed in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, Saudi doctors attended to children and panicked passengers and food was provided. The passenger said the staff were "very nice" and "very understanding". 'Altercation occurred in flight deck,' says FlyDubai Flydubai has now issued a new statement regarding today's incident saying "an altercation occurred in the flight deck of flight FZ1073". The flight was operating between Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV). The statement reads: "The aircraft was successfully secured by on-duty flydubai crew travelling on the flight, who diverted and landed the aircraft safely at Tabuk Airport (TUU). All passengers and crew are safe and accounted for." The airline added that two replacement aircraft have been sent to Tabuk to "relieve" the passengers and crew involved. The incident has "no impact" on other scheduled flydubai services, the airline added. Flydubai stated: "At this early stage, the underlying reasons and motives behind this event are unknown and remain subject to a formal investigation. "We urge all parties to refrain from premature speculation while authorities gather the facts. "Our immediate priority is to ensure the ongoing safety, health, and wellbeing of all passengers and crew members involved in this incident and support the official investigation." Israeli defence minister claims incident was attempted 'terrorist attack' Israel Katz has claimed the incident on the FlyDubai plane today was an "attempted jihadist terror attack". The Israeli defence minister said in a statement that the alleged attack was "thwarted only thanks to the bravery of several Israeli passengers who broke into the cockpit, overpowered the terrorist and, with their own hands, restored control of the plane to another flight crew who was present there". He claimed the alleged attacker "had one intention: to crash the plane with all its passengers". 'You have a heroic dad': Passenger films message to children A passenger who helped overpower an attacker onboard FlyDubai flight FZ1073 recorded a video message for his children following the incident. Yitzhak Lieber described how he and other passengers intervened after one of the pilots was reportedly stabbed during the flight. In the video sent to his children, he said: “The pilot was seriously injured. We overpowered the terrorist and he is tied up. It was a very difficult incident. You have a heroic dad.” Lieber also described how passengers rushed to help, saying: “We just jumped in, and a few of us got them out of the cockpit. Everything is fine now.” Pilot 'tried to sabotage aircraft's systems' A pilot allegedly attempted to sabotage the systems of FlyDubai flight FZ1073 during the mid-air emergency, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said. Netanyahu said he had spoken to a passenger who managed to enter the cockpit alongside a crew member and overpower the alleged attacker. He said the pilot was attempting to “sabotage the aircraft's systems” as the pair intervened. According to Netanyahu, another member of the aircrew then entered the cockpit and managed to stabilise the plane. Pilot arrested, Netanyahu says A pilot has been arrested following the alleged attack onboard FlyDubai flight FZ1073, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said. In a video statement, Netanyahu said the incident began when one of the pilots “stabbed the other pilot and apparently tried to crash the plane”. He said a passenger and crew member managed to enter the cockpit and overpower the alleged attacker, while another crew member helped stabilise the aircraft. Netanyahu added that the suspected attacker was in custody and being questioned by Saudi authorities. Passengers 'uncomfortable' boarding FlyDubai rescue plane Some passengers stranded in Saudi Arabia are reportedly reluctant to board a replacement FlyDubai aircraft following the mid-air emergency. A passenger told Israeli broadcaster Channel 12 that the rescue flight had not yet departed Tabuk as some travellers were uncomfortable flying with the same airline. The passenger said people were debating whether to board the replacement aircraft or wait for an Israeli rescue flight. He also claimed that no Israeli official had contacted the stranded passengers. Passenger feared repeat of 9/11 as plane 'plunged' A passenger onboard FlyDubai flight FZ1073 has described fearing a repeat of the 9/11 terror attacks as the aircraft reportedly plunged towards the ground. Daniel told Israeli media he believed the incident was a terrorist attack, recalling how three Israeli passengers attempted to overpower the alleged attacker. He described the aircraft entering a “steep dive, nose down, with a very intense spin”. “The spinning stopped. It felt like an eternity, but I think it was at least two or three minutes, during which the plane was simply diving and spinning like crazy,” he said. “It felt like that’s it. It’s over. Sept 11 is happening again.” Saudi Arabia 'refuses' Israeli permission to collect passengers Saudi Arabia has reportedly refused to allow Israeli aircraft to collect passengers stranded following the emergency landing of FlyDubai flight FZ1073. An Israeli official told CNN that Saudi authorities would not permit Israeli planes to enter the country to bring the passengers home. Israel had earlier been considering sending either a military or civilian aircraft to Saudi Arabia following the diversion of the Dubai to Tel Aviv flight. Israeli minister calls for FlyDubai flights to be suspended Israel's Transport Minister Miri Regev has called for all FlyDubai flights to and from the country to be suspended following the incident onboard flight FZ1073. Regev has asked Israel's Shin Bet security agency to halt the airline's operations pending an investigation, a transport ministry source told The Jerusalem Post. The request follows reports that one of the pilots allegedly involved in the incident was an Omani national. According to the newspaper, FlyDubai's agreement to operate in Israel requires its pilots to come from countries that have normalised diplomatic relations with Israel, which does not include Oman. "This is a clear breach of the agreement," the ministry source said, adding that Shin Bet must investigate the matter. Map shows flight's dramatic diversion after 'hijack' alert A new graphic shows the route taken by FlyDubai flight FZ1073 after it issued emergency codes while travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The map, created using Flightradar24 data, shows the aircraft departing Dubai at 3.05am GMT before transmitting a general emergency code at 5.31am. Just seven minutes later, at 5.38am, the plane issued code 7500, associated with a possible hijacking. The aircraft subsequently diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, where it made an emergency landing. Passengers pictured queuing at FlyDubai counters in Tel Aviv New pictures show passengers queuing at FlyDubai counters at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv. The images were taken on the same day flight FZ1073 made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia following a reported altercation onboard. What has been confirmed about the pilots' injuries? Both pilots onboard FlyDubai flight FZ1073 were taken to hospital following the emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The company operating Tabuk airport confirmed that the captain and first officer sustained injuries, although it did not explain how they were hurt. Several passengers have described seeing blood onboard, with some claiming that one of the pilots was stabbed during the incident. However, the circumstances surrounding the injuries have not been officially confirmed.