Netanyahu links the incident aboard FlyDubai to antisemitism and accuses it of being an “9/11”-style attempt / The aircraft was reportedly righted by a plumber

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised an Israeli passenger who reportedly intervened to steady a Flydubai aircraft, following a violent altercation in the cockpit. The incident occurred on Wednesday, during flight FZ1073, on the Dubai–Tel Aviv route, while the aircraft was flying over the area between Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

According to Netanyahu’s account, a passenger, a plumber by profession, entered the cockpit after the pilot was reportedly attacked and stabbed by the copilot and helped restrain the assailant. He then reportedly managed to steady the aircraft, which was in a dive, based on what he had seen in a program about aviation accidents. The aircraft, carrying approximately 170 people, had suddenly lost altitude and tilted violently before making an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

Later, another pilot, who was off duty and on the plane, reportedly took control of the aircraft.

Flydubai confirmed that an altercation had taken place in the cockpit, during which one pilot reportedly stabbed the other, but urged people to avoid speculation until the investigation is completed.

Netanyahu stated that the passenger had prevented “another 9/11” and linked the incident to antisemitism and anti-Israel propaganda. Israeli officials spoke of a possible terrorist attack attempt, while the United Arab Emirates described the case as a security incident. The investigation is ongoing.

Captain Smit Machchhar, the pilot of a Flydubai aircraft flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv, is considered the main savior of the 174 people on board after being attacked and stabbed by the copilot during the flight. Seriously injured, the pilot managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to intervene and restrain the assailant.