What happened aboard the Flydubai flight that plunged 17,000 feet?

The Big Picture

Flydubai Flight FZ1073 landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday after an alleged cockpit attack sent the Dubai to Tel Aviv service into a rapid descent of more than 17,000 feet in less than two minutes.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said one pilot stabbed the other and apparently tried to crash or disable the aircraft. The alleged attacker was restrained after passengers and crew entered the cockpit, while two other pilots travelling in the passenger cabin took over the controls, according to passenger accounts.

The flight was carrying more than 150 people, though published estimates vary. Netanyahu said 174 people had been saved, while other reports put the number aboard at between 160 and 180.

What Happened

FZ1073 departed Dubai International Airport for Ben Gurion Airport on Sept. 30. About two to two-and-a-half hours later, flight tracking data showed the aircraft falling from cruising altitude by more than 17,000 feet, or about 5,200 metres, in under two minutes.

The aircraft transmitted squawk 7700, the general emergency code, and later squawk 7500, a code used to indicate unlawful interference or a possible hijacking. It briefly entered Jordanian airspace before turning back toward Saudi Arabia and landing safely at Tabuk Airport.

Passenger Yaniv Hayun said he heard screams, entered the cockpit with another man and found the alleged attacker at the instrument panel. In a video released by Netanyahu's office, Hayun said he put the man in a chokehold, pulled him from the cockpit and helped other passengers restrain him. He said the man appeared to be trying to destroy instruments and disable the plane.

Another passenger, Adam Polovincik, told the BBC he held and reassured his young children as the aircraft sharply dropped. He said people who were not seated fell to the floor and passengers later saw people moving through the cabin covered in blood.

What Each Side Is Saying

Netanyahu said the alleged attacker was an Omani national and that preliminary indications pointed to Islamist radical indoctrination. He said it was too early to reach final conclusions, including on whether Iran had any involvement.

The United Arab Emirates said it had opened an investigation, including into whether the incident was connected to terrorist activity or purpose. Flydubai has called for parties not to speculate prematurely while authorities establish the facts.

The alleged attacker was arrested in Saudi Arabia and was being questioned there. Netanyahu said the man was expected to be transferred to the UAE. UAE officials have said they have jurisdiction because the aircraft is registered in the UAE and operated under its flag.

The motive remains unconfirmed. The Guardian, citing a regional official familiar with the investigation, reported that authorities were examining possible explanations ranging from terrorism to mental illness.

Background

The stabbed captain was identified as Capt. Smit Machchhar, an Indian national. He was taken to a hospital in Tabuk and was reported to be stable, in good health and recovering well after a visit by India's ambassador to the UAE.

Machchhar was praised by Netanyahu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Passenger Polovincik said the captain, despite being injured, opened the cockpit door, allowing people to intervene. Accounts differ on whether both pilots were treated in hospital: Tabuk airport said both were injured, while BBC reporting has primarily identified Machchhar as the stabbed and hospitalised pilot.

What Happens Next

Flydubai suspended flights between Dubai and Tel Aviv while it investigates. Passengers from the diverted flight were later transported to Tel Aviv on another aircraft.

Investigators in Saudi Arabia and the UAE will seek to establish how the cockpit incident unfolded, whether the alleged attacker had assistance and whether there was any ideological or terrorist motive. The preliminary claims made by Israeli officials have not yet been independently established by the investigations.