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Flydubai FZ1073: Israeli Dentist Recounts Mid-Air Horror as Plane Plunges

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News18•03-10-2026, 12:43
Flydubai FZ1073: Israeli Dentist Recounts Mid-Air Horror as Plane Plunges
- •Dr. Shota Musaev, an Israeli dentist, described the terrifying moments aboard Flydubai FZ1073 when the aircraft suddenly lost altitude.
- •The flight, carrying 174 people, plunged over 14,000 feet in approximately 30 seconds during a cockpit incident.
- •Passengers and crew intervened after Captain Smit Machchhar, despite serious injuries, managed to open the cockpit door.
- •The aircraft was safely diverted and landed at Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, with all passengers and crew surviving.
- •An investigation by UAE authorities is ongoing to determine the circumstances and possible motive behind the incident.
Key Questions Answered
Flydubai flight FZ1073 experienced a cockpit crisis when the aircraft suddenly plunged more than 14,000 feet in about 30 seconds. The flight, carrying 174 people, was ultimately diverted and landed safely at Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Captain Smit Machchhar was seriously injured during the incident but managed to open the cockpit door so passengers could intervene. Despite being hurt, he kept control of the aircraft and ensured an emergency landing was successfully executed.
UAE authorities are actively continuing their investigation into the cockpit incident, examining its specific circumstances and potential motives.





