'Hero' pilot stabbed by other pilot on Israel-bound plane, Israeli PM says

What the report says

A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia after one pilot was stabbed by the other in the cockpit, according to the BBC report citing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the airline. Passengers and crew managed to overpower the attacker, secure the aircraft and land it safely, with more than 170 people on board. The passengers later continued on to Tel Aviv on a repatriation flight.

The injured pilot was identified in the report as Indian national Capt. Smit Machchhar. He was taken to hospital and was reported to be in stable condition. Netanyahu described him as a hero and said his actions helped prevent a major disaster. Flydubai said only that there had been an altercation in the flight deck and that on-duty crew on the flight helped secure the plane and land it safely. The airline said an investigation was under way.

The article said no official motive had been confirmed. Netanyahu and Israel’s defence minister suggested the incident may have been a terror attack, while U.S. President Donald Trump said the attacker may have been a terrorist or had another motive. Flight-tracking data showed the aircraft descended sharply over Saudi Arabia before emergency codes were sent. The incident highlights the vulnerability of cockpit security and the role of passengers and crew in stopping an in-flight emergency.