{
  "id": 11647387,
  "title": "flydubai FZ1073 timeline: How cockpit incident became a terror investigation",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/flydubai-fz1073-timeline-how-cockpit-incident-became-a-terror",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-03T08:20:25.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/business/aviation/flydubai-fz1073-timeline-how-cockpit-incident-became-a-terror-investigation-1.500696919"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Allegations surfaced that, during the emergency landing, the co-pilot attempted to carry out a terrorist act aboard flydubai flight FZ1073. This incident occurred on September 30, when the aircraft departed from Dubai International Airport bound for Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv. Upon reaching a point near the Saudi-Jordanian border at 9:28am UAE time, the aircraft made a sudden descent, followed by a sharp climb and another steep descent, eventually flying at around 15,000 feet. At 9:35am, the transponder changed to the 7500 code for unlawful interference, and the aircraft turned west, briefly entering Jordanian airspace before returning towards Saudi Arabia. At 9:44am, air traffic controllers in Tabuk received a distress call from FZ1073 requesting an emergency landing, which the aircraft subsequently landed at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk at 10:45am Saudi time. Both the captain and first officer sustained injuries and were hospitalized for treatment. The incident drew attention to the actions of the co-pilot, who was identified as Indian national Captain Smit Machchhar. UAE authorities initiated a judicial investigation into the incident, designating a specialised Public Prosecution team to examine the circumstances and causes. Saudi authorities also provided their account, stating that the first officer had assaulted the captain during the emergency, resulting in injuries to both pilots. The investigation remains ongoing.",
  "summary": "What began as reports of an unexplained altercation inside the cockpit of flydubai flight FZ1073 has developed into a major security investigation, with UAE prosecutors now saying the co-pilot attempted to carry out a terrorist act. The Israel-bound flight left Dubai on September 30 before diverting to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, following dramatic changes in altitude, emergency transponder signals and…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}