Flydubai pilot survives cockpit attack during flight to Tel Aviv

A Flydubai Boeing 737 flight traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv narrowly avoided a catastrophe after a co-pilot attacked Captain Smit Machchhar with a knife in the cockpit. The assault caused the aircraft to lose significant altitude rapidly, dropping to nearly half its height within a minute.

During the struggle, a passenger named Yaniv Hayun and other crew members managed to enter the cockpit. Hayun reportedly subdued the attacker and assisted in regaining control of the aircraft's instruments. The plane was eventually diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely with 174 people on board.

Captain Machchhar sustained serious injuries during the attack but is reported to be in stable condition. The incident has drawn international recognition, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praising the pilot's bravery for preventing a mid-air disaster. U.S. President Donald Trump also commented on the event, noting discussions with Netanyahu regarding the incident.