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UAE Probes Flydubai Cockpit Attack: Terror Link, Prior Planning Investigated
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News18•02-10-2026, 17:40
UAE Probes Flydubai Cockpit Attack: Terror Link, Prior Planning Investigated
- •The UAE has launched an investigation into an incident aboard a Flydubai flight that was forced to divert to Saudi Arabia.
- •Flydubai flight FZ1073, traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, landed safely at Tabuk Airport after an altercation in the flight deck.
- •Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar was seriously injured after being attacked by his co-pilot, believed to be an Omani national.
- •Machchhar reportedly fought back, preventing the situation from escalating on the flight carrying 174 passengers, including 27 children.
- •Authorities are investigating possible terror links and prior planning related to the cockpit attack.
Key Questions Answered
Flydubai flight FZ1073 was forced to divert to Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia after an attack occurred inside the cockpit. The aircraft, which carried 174 passengers and 27 children, landed safely following the incident.
Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar sustained serious injuries after being attacked by his co-pilot, who is believed to be an Omani national. Captain Machchhar fought back, which helped prevent the dangerous situation from escalating further.
The United Arab Emirates launched an official investigation into the flight deck altercation to examine potential prior planning and a possible terror link behind the attack aboard flight FZ1073.
