Israel prepared to shoot down flydubai plane after cockpit attack
Military jets were scrambled and airspace shut after a co-pilot stabbed the captain en route to Tel Aviv, before passengers regained control.
Israeli fighter jets were scrambled and prepared to shoot down a commercial flydubai flight carrying more than 150 Israeli passengers after a co-pilot attacked the captain mid-air, according to Israeli officials cited by CBS News.
The incident took place on 30 September aboard Flight 1073, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Mid-flight, co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani national, allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar with an emergency crash axe and attempted to take control of the aircraft. During the struggle, the passenger jet plunged sharply—falling between 14,000 and 16,000 feet within seconds.
Emergency protocol activated in Tel Aviv
When Israeli air traffic controllers and military monitors were unable to establish radio contact with the cockpit, authorities triggered long-standing counter-terrorism procedures designed to stop a September 11-style airborne attack. Israeli airspace was shut, a dedicated military command centre was stood up, and fighter jets took to the skies.
Under Israeli defence protocols, scrambled interceptors were instructed to close in on the airliner to make visual assessments through the cockpit windows. Had the aircraft maintained radio silence, made no demands, and continued tracking towards Israeli population centres, the authority to shoot it down rested ultimately with the prime minister, in consultation with the defence minister. Officials feared the rogue airliner was being steered towards high-value landmarks, including Ben Gurion Airport or Tel Aviv’s Azrieli Centre.
Saudi Arabia also scrambled its own fighter jets as the drama unfolded in regional airspace roughly 400 miles from Israel.
How the crew and passengers regained control
Despite sustaining severe injuries in the assault, Captain Machchhar managed to unlock the cockpit door from the inside. Cabin crew and passengers—many of them Israelis—rushed the cockpit and overpowered Hammami.
Two off-duty commercial pilots travelling as passengers stepped into the cockpit to assist the injured captain. They stabilised the aircraft and diverted it to an emergency landing in Tabuk, north-western Saudi Arabia. Once the airliner changed heading and turned away from Israel, the Israeli air force recalled its fighter jets.
Investigation points to planned assault
Following the diversion, Hammami was taken into custody. An Israeli official told CBS News that Hammami allegedly told Emirati investigators he had planned an attack before being hired by flydubai, intending to crash an aircraft at Ben Gurion Airport. Initial Israeli intelligence assessments suggest the incident was a lone-wolf plot, though inquiries into his background and affiliations remain open.
Key numbers
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Date of incident | 30 September | Primary reports |
| Flight number | Flight 1073 | Primary reports |
| Altitude lost | 14,000 to 16,000 feet | Official accounts and flight tracking details |
| Israeli passengers on board | More than 150 | Israeli sources |
| Diversion destination | Tabuk, Saudi Arabia | Flight and official records |
Questions readers are asking
Why was Israel prepared to shoot down a commercial flight?
When the cockpit went silent following the plunge and failed to respond to radio contact, Israel activated anti-terror protocols to prevent a 9/11-style suicide strike against urban infrastructure or Ben Gurion Airport.
Who had the authority to order the shoot-down?
Under Israeli protocol, the final decision to shoot down a hijacked commercial aircraft can only be taken by the Prime Minister.
How was the hijacking attempt stopped?
The captain managed to unlock the security door despite his injuries, allowing passengers and cabin crew to enter and overpower the co-pilot. Two off-duty pilots on board then helped guide the plane to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
In this story
| Name | Role in the story |
|---|---|
| Smit Machchhar | Captain who was attacked and managed to unlock the cockpit door. |
| Flydubai | Airline operating Flight 1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv. |
| Hamam al-Hammami | Co-pilot accused of attacking the captain with an axe. |
| Israel | Destination country whose military prepared to shoot down the airliner. |
