A FlyDubai pilot has been identified as Indian national Smit Machchhar after he was stabbed while battling his co-pilot during an alleged hijack attempt mid-air.

The incident took place on 30 September aboard flight FZ1073, a Boeing 737 Max 8 carrying more than 150 people from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv.

According to reports, the first officer knifed Mr Machchhar and attempted to seize control of the controls in an effort to bring down the aircraft. During the struggle on the flight deck, the plane nosedived 18,000 feet before the situation was contained.

Mr Machchhar, who has accumulated nearly 10,000 flying hours across his aviation career, managed to raise the alarm to crew members and passengers, who stepped in to intervene. Several passengers on board recorded footage showing one of the pilots drenched in blood following the confrontation.

As the altercation took place, the aircraft broadcast an emergency transponder code indicating unlawful interference, prompting hijack concerns. The Express reported that military jets were deployed in response to the alert.

An official told Channel 12 that "one pilot stabbed the other and tried to do 9/11" during the mid-flight confrontation.

The carrier confirmed that the aircraft was successfully brought under control by on-duty FlyDubai crew members travelling aboard the flight, who diverted the plane and landed safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia.

Officials confirmed Mr Machchhar suffered multiple stab wounds during the assault. He was rushed to a local hospital upon arrival in Saudi Arabia and is understood to be in a stable condition.

FlyDubai, a low-cost sister airline of Emirates, announced that all passengers and crew were safe and accounted for, and that two replacement aircraft were dispatched to Tabuk to relieve those on board.

A spokesperson for the airline stated: "An altercation occurred in the flight deck of flight FZ 1073, operating from Dubai International (DXB) to Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV), on 30 September. The aircraft was successfully secured by on-duty flydubai crew travelling on the flight, who diverted and landed the aircraft safely at Tabuk Airport (TUU). All passengers and crew are safe and accounted for."

What we do not know yet is what triggered the assault. FlyDubai confirmed that the underlying motives remain subject to a formal investigation and urged all parties to refrain from premature speculation while authorities piece together the facts.

The carrier operates an all-Boeing 737 fleet with close to 100 aircraft, including 69 737 Max 8s, and stated that the incident caused no broader disruption to its scheduled flights. I'll be following this one — check back for updates.