Did an Indian national named Raghav Menon attempt to hijack Flydubai flight FZ1073?
Did an AI deepfake BBC News video falsely claim that an Indian passenger attempted to hijack a FlyDubai flight as part of an Indian-Israeli intelligence operation?
False
The claim about Raghav Menon hijacking the flight is false; it's based on a deepfake.
No, the claim that Indian national Raghav Menon attempted to hijack Flydubai flight FZ1073 is false. The video presenting this allegation is a deepfake that misrepresents the real incident.
DeepfakeClaims
✓ 2 true · ✕ 3 falseFlydubai flight FZ1073 operating from Dubai to Tel Aviv on 30 September 2026 experienced an in-flight incident and diverted to Tabuk; passengers are safe.12
Flydubai confirmed the occurrence of a flight-deck incident on FZ1073 on September 30, 2026. The aircraft was safely diverted to Tabuk, with all passengers and crew reported to be safe during the ongoing investigation. Multiple reputable news sources corroborated this information, marking a strong consensus regarding the authenticity of the event.
A passenger named Raghav Menon, described as an Indian national, attempted to hijack Flydubai flight FZ1073.345
Reputable sources confirmed that there was no passenger named Raghav Menon involved in any hijacking attempt on flight FZ1073. The video attributing this allegation to him is a deepfake, specifically designed to mislead viewers into believing a false narrative. Fact-checking organizations thoroughly assessed the video and found it fabricated, highlighting the absence of any credible reports supporting this claim.
BBC News broadcast the report shown in the clip (that an Indian passenger and a pilot conspired with Mossad/RAW), i.e., the clip is an authentic BBC bulletin.45
The BBC has not published any content matching the allegations made in the viral clip. Fact-checkers demonstrated that the video was a deepfake, constructed from real BBC footage, but altered to include false claims and AI-generated audio/text that misleads viewers into thinking it was an authentic news report.
Captain Smit Machchhar (an Indian national) was stabbed in the cockpit and helped secure the aircraft.
Reports indicated that Captain Smit Machchhar was indeed injured during the cockpit altercation on flight FZ1073. Reputable sources confirm his actions to help secure the aircraft, leading to the safe diversion. His identification as the injured pilot is corroborated by multiple accounts.
The post's assertion that Indian security officials (named Parag Jain and Ajit Doval) met with Mossad to select a former RAW agent (Raghav Menon) for a covert mission tied to the flight is true.34
There is no substantial evidence or credible reporting from established news sources, nor any statements from relevant authorities substantiating claims of an Indian-Mossad meeting or a conspiracy involving Raghav Menon. The accusations appear entirely fabricated and were propagated through the manipulated video clip.
What was posted
XThe claim circulated on Twitter, including a video captioned as a breaking news segment about Flydubai flight FZ1073. It alleged a hijacking attempt involving an Indian passenger.
“🚨 BREAKING: According to the latest updates of flight FZ10703, Parag Jain and Ajit Doval from India held secret meeting with Mossad and selected former intelligence RAW agent Raghav Menon for a covert mission in coordination with indian Pilot Smit Machchhar for Dubai–Tel Aviv”
Who posted it
XAccount check
Estimates from public signals — account age, posting pattern, audience — not a judgement of the person behind the account, and separate from whether this post is true.
What stood out
- Account lacks profile information and recent posts, suggesting inactivity or automation.
- No verifiable information found about 'ThokaReturns' in reputable sources, indicating potential anonymity or a new account.
- No evidence of platform verification or notable affiliations, raising concerns about authenticity.
Signals (4)+
- Posting cadence
- 0
- Follower ratio
- 0
- Notable news coverage
- No
- Fact check history
- No
Account checked October 3, 2026, 14:38 UTC
The media
Video✓ What is genuine
The video does use actual footage from a BBC report on unrelated events, assembled to create a misleading narrative.
The tells
- ●●● Strong signal The video quality lacks professionalism typical of genuine news broadcasts.our visual review
- ●●● Strong signal The captions and audio do not match the tone of standard news reporting from known outlets.our visual review
Synthetic-media detector
Detector ranThe claim stands or falls on whether the media is real, so the detector ran.
Scores are the detector’s estimate for the file as uploaded. A low score does not rule out editing, a spliced caption, or footage shown out of context — those are judged above. Model v3.
How we checked the media
- Reviewed the viral video claiming to show BBC coverage of the alleged hijacking.
- Detailed examination revealed it incorporated authentic BBC footage manipulated to present a false narrative.
- Confirmed it was not aired by reputable news sources like the BBC through independent fact-checking.
- Checked against known reports regarding Flydubai flight FZ1073 for consistency.
Sources
5 sources reviewed- 1Updates on FZ 1073 DXB-TLV on 30 September 2026 ↗
flydubai (official) · news.flydubai.comUntiereduntiered — treated as signal only, never decisiveEvidence
Flydubai confirmed that flight FZ 1073 on 30 September experienced an incident en route and was diverted to Tabuk; all passengers and crew are safe; an investigation is underway.
- 2In-flight attack on FlyDubai pilot puts aviation security measures under fresh scrutiny ↗
Associated Press · apnews.comPrimary / fact-checkerwire + AP Fact Check (Tier A)Evidence
AP reports the co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain in the cockpit and attempted to take control of the aircraft on Flydubai Flight FZ1073.
- 3Fake BBC Report Accusing Indian Of Attempting To Hijack Flydubai Plane Viral As Real ↗
NewsChecker · newschecker.inUntiereduntiered — treated as signal only, never decisiveEvidence
Fact-check finds no evidence BBC published the claim about a passenger named Raghav Menon; the viral video was created by altering existing BBC footage and adding AI-generated audio and captions.
- 4Fake BBC report falsely implicates Indian passenger and pilot in Flydubai hijacking attempt ↗
France 24 (Truth or Fake) · france24.comReputable outletCenter/Lean Left — public serviceEvidence
France 24's 'Truth or Fake' segment shows the viral BBC-style clip is a deepfake that invents allegations against an Indian passenger.
- 5Video supposedly showing BBC News linking Indian passenger to Flydubai attack is a deepfake – Full Fact ↗
Full Fact · fullfact.orgPrimary / fact-checkerIFCN + EFCSN; UK charityEvidence
Full Fact reports the clip is not a real BBC bulletin and finds no credible reporting identifying a passenger named Raghav Menon.
Further reading
- 3NewsChecker NewsChecker provides an analysis of the deepfake clip and its implications.
- 4France 24 (Truth or Fake) France 24's investigation sheds light on how the deepfake was created and the misinformation spread.
- 5Full Fact Full Fact outlines the broader issues of deepfakes in media and public discourse.
The full story
On September 30, 2026, Flydubai flight FZ1073 encountered a significant in-flight incident, resulting in a diversion to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. All passengers and crew members were reported safe. Subsequently, details emerged about a passenger allegedly named Raghav Menon attempting to hijack the flight, alongside claims of a conspiracy involving Indian and Israeli intelligence agencies (RAW and Mossad). These claims were rooted in a video that falsely presented itself as a legitimate BBC news broadcast. Fact-checkers established that the video was a deepfake, combining authentic BBC footage and altered audio. Major news organizations and independent fact-checkers like France 24, NewsChecker, and Full Fact corroborated that there was no basis for the allegations against any passenger named Raghav Menon or the purported intelligence operation. The truth of the incident – a genuine flight incident – became distorted through the viral spread of misinformation, showcasing the potential for misleading narratives fueled by manipulated media.
Kernel of truth
While the flight incident did happen, the claims involving Raghav Menon and the intelligence conspiracy are completely fabricated.
Timeline
September 30, 2026
Flydubai flight FZ1073 experienced an in-flight incident and was diverted to Tabuk.
October 1, 2026
A deepfake video alleging involvement by an Indian passenger begins circulating on social platforms.
October 1, 2026
Independent fact-checkers begin debunking the viral video as a deepfake.
How it was framed
The video presents itself as authentic news, but it mainly consists of manipulated footage and fabricated claims.
- Missing context. The video omits crucial details surrounding the actual incident in favor of sensationalized, fabricated narratives.
- Emotional language. The language used in the post's claim creates urgency and shock, influencing viewers' reactions.
Bias
Leans anti-Indian / conspiratorial. The manipulated clip and caption attribute blame to an Indian individual and invent a covert RAW–Mossad conspiracy; this frames the event to push a hostile narrative about India and intelligence services without evidence.
Bias describes how the post frames its message — the slant of the language, selection and emphasis — and is judged separately from whether the claim is true. A true claim can still be framed with a strong slant.
How we checked
1 min 21 s- 1
Conducted searches for information on Flydubai FZ1073, focusing on reported incidents and any passenger involvement.
- 2
Reviewed reputable news sources and fact-checkers for assessments related to the viral claims.
- 3
Compared the video with authentic news broadcasts to identify alterations and inconsistencies.
- 4
Evaluated official statements from Flydubai to corroborate incident details.
✓ Claim checked✓ Media checked✓ Sources checked
Why 88% confidence
HighWe are highly confident in the assessment of this claim as false due to corroboration from multiple independent sources and authentication checks performed on the video.
Limits. We could not access specific original footage claims made by the viral video or confirm any corroborating eyewitness testimonies.
What we don’t know
- What impact the circulation of this misinformation will have on public perception regarding air travel security.
- How deepfake technology will evolve and potentially be used in future misinformation campaigns.
Spot it yourself
Spot the fakeLooks suspicious, isn’t proof
- The sensational tone of the claim raises immediate doubts about its authenticity.
- The drastic claims involving high-profile intelligence agencies warrant further scrutiny.
- The brief duration and informal presentation of the video contrast with genuine news reports.
- Visual elements that seem out of place, such as inconsistent audio, suggest tampering.
The actual evidence
- Multiple reputable news sources confirmed the Flydubai incident, differing greatly from the claims made in the video.
- Fact-checkers provided analyses declaring the video a deepfake and dispelling the narrative surrounding Raghav Menon.
- No credible sources reported the allegations concerning the Indian passenger being involved in hijacking or intelligence collusion.
- 1
Look for official statements from airlines or relevant authorities about in-flight incidents.
All credible claims should be verifiable through authoritative channels.
- 2
Examine the source and quality of the media presented.
Evaluate whether it's backed by established news organizations, and check for signs of manipulation.
- 3
Check the context of any claims being made.
Understanding the surrounding events can clarify whether the claims are exaggerated or fabricated.
- 4
Run a reverse image or video search to identify the original media.
This can help confirm the source and check if it has been altered.
Takeaway
Always investigate media claims critically, especially when they seem sensational. Recognizing the signs of manipulated content can protect against sharing misinformation.
Questions people ask
What happened during Flydubai flight FZ1073?+
On September 30, 2026, Flydubai flight FZ1073 experienced a flight-deck incident and safely diverted to Tabuk, with all on board reported safe.
What is a deepfake?+
A deepfake is a type of media that has been altered using artificial intelligence to create realistic yet fabricated audio or video content, often misleading viewers.
How can I identify manipulated media?+
To identify manipulated media, check for inconsistencies in presentation, corroborate claims with reputable sources, and use reverse image searches to track the original content.
Why is the claim about Raghav Menon considered false?+
The claim involving Raghav Menon was part of a fabricated narrative based on a deepfake video that has been debunked by reputable fact-checkers.
What caused the incident on Flydubai flight FZ1073?+
The incident was caused by a violent altercation in the cockpit, as confirmed by official statements from Flydubai and major news outlets.
Go deeper
- Deepfake
- Media created or altered using artificial intelligence technology to appear authentic while conveying false information.
- Misinformation
- False or misleading information spread regardless of intent to deceive.
- Fact-checking
- The process of verifying the factual accuracy of claims made in various formats, often by independent organizations.
People also search for
For educators+
- How can we educate others about the dangers of deepfake media?
- What responsibilities do social media platforms have in combating misinformation?
- In what ways can critical thinking improve our information literacy?
About this check
- Platform
- X
- Posted by
- @ThokaReturns
- Posted
- October 2, 2026
- Age when checked
- Under 24 hours old when checked
- Where it spread
- India, Pakistan
- Audience
- International audience
- Language
- EN
- Status
- ● Post is live
- Verified
- October 3, 2026, 14:41 UTC
- Published
- October 3, 2026, 14:41 UTC
Reach. 300,000+ views on X post @ThokaReturns. Fact-checked by FullFact, BOOM, France24, Newschecker, NewsGuard.
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