Flydubai FZ1073 Flight Attack (Pic Credit: X)
An ordinary flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv turned into a terrifying emergency when the captain was attacked inside the cockpit and the Boeing 737 suddenly lost thousands of feet in a short time. Yet a chain of events helped prevent what could have been a major disaster. Captain Smit Machchhar, passengers, a doctor, a plumber and two off-duty pilots all played different roles as the aircraft fought to stay in the air. The incident involving flydubai flight FZ1073 has since been described in reports as a series of extraordinary moments at 30,000 feet.
Captain Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door
The crisis began after the captain was seriously injured during an attack inside the cockpit. Despite his injuries, Machchhar managed to unlock and open the cockpit door. This gave passengers and crew a chance to enter and confront the attacker.
The aircraft had also started a rapid descent. Reports said it dropped from around 34,000 feet to about 17,000 feet in roughly two minutes, making the situation even more dangerous.
Passengers rushed in to help
Several passengers responded quickly after the cockpit door opened. Israeli plumber Yaniv Hayun, dentist Dr Shota Musaev, insurance agency owner Assaf Rajuan and banker Zvika Manes were among those who helped.
Hayun moved the aircraft’s control levers to help arrest the descent. He later said he had learned some basic aviation information from the television programme “Mayday”.
Musaev, who was travelling as a passenger, used his medical skills to help the injured captain and control his bleeding. Rajuan also helped restrain the attacker until the aircraft could land.
A series of ‘miracles’ at 30,000 feet
What happened next appeared to depend on a remarkable chain of events. The right people happened to be in the right place at a critical moment.
Two off-duty flydubai pilots were also travelling on the same aircraft. They were able to assist after the cockpit crisis and helped stabilise the Boeing 737.
Reports have described this sequence as almost miraculous, with several separate events coming together when the aircraft was in serious danger. From the captain managing to open the cockpit door to passengers stepping forward and off-duty pilots being on board, each moment became important.
Two off-duty pilots helped land the aircraft
The two off-duty pilots eventually helped the crew regain control of the aircraft. The flight was diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.
Reports said the aircraft had suffered serious damage, including major damage around its tail and rudder area following the rapid descent.
All passengers were reported safe and accounted for. Captain Machchhar was taken for medical treatment after the landing.
The exact circumstances behind the cockpit attack, including the motive of the co-pilot involved, remain under investigation. The incident has drawn attention to the actions of the captain, passengers and off-duty pilots whose combined efforts helped bring the flight safely to the ground.
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