Flydubai Pilot Attack: Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu Warns of ‘Additional Threats’ After Plane Crash Attempt

A Flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after a violent incident in the cockpit involving the two pilots. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said one pilot stabbed the other and apparently attempted to crash the aircraft, prompting passengers and crew members to intervene. The Boeing 737 operating as Flydubai Flight FZ1073 landed safely at Tabuk Airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia. All passengers were reported safe, while the two pilots were taken to hospital for treatment, according to the airport authorities.

What Happened Aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073?

According to Netanyahu, the incident occurred as the aircraft was approaching Israel. He said one of the pilots stabbed the other before apparently attempting to interfere with the aircraft's controls. Netanyahu said he spoke with an Israeli passenger who described the aircraft entering a spin and beginning to dive. The passenger, along with a crew member, then managed to enter the cockpit and subdue the pilot who had carried out the stabbing. Flydubai Hijack Scare: Indian-Origin Captain Smit Machchhar Regains Control of ‘Crashing’ Plane After Co-Pilot Attack.

Pilot Allegedly Tried to Crash Plane, Netanyahu Says

#WATCH | Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: "This morning, there was a serious security incident on a flight from Dubai to Israel. Almost all the passengers on the flight were Israelis. During the flight, as they approached the country, one of the pilots stabbed the second… pic.twitter.com/hbR7xCNSjO

— ANI (@ANI) September 30, 2026

Another member of the flight crew subsequently entered the cockpit and helped stabilise the aircraft, Netanyahu said. The Israeli prime minister praised the passengers and crew members who intervened, saying their actions prevented a potentially serious disaster.

Plane Diverted to Tabuk Airport

The aircraft eventually diverted from its route and landed at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk, commonly known as Tabuk Airport. Saudi airport authorities said the aircraft made an emergency landing and that both the captain and co-pilot were injured and taken to hospital. The investigation into the incident is being conducted by the relevant authorities. Flight-tracking data indicated that the aircraft transmitted emergency signals during the incident, including the 7500 transponder code associated with unlawful interference. The aircraft also experienced a significant loss of altitude before diverting toward Tabuk. Who Is Yaniv? Flydubai Flight FZ1073 Passenger Helped Subdue Attacker As Civilian Pilots Landed Plane.

Flydubai Confirms Cockpit Altercation

Flydubai confirmed that an altercation occurred in the flight deck of Flight FZ1073 while it was travelling from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion International Airport. The airline said its on-duty crew secured the aircraft and diverted it safely to Tabuk. It confirmed that all passengers and crew members were safe and accounted for. However, Flydubai said the underlying reasons and motives behind the incident remained unknown and were subject to a formal investigation. The airline urged against premature speculation while authorities investigate what happened.

Passenger Intervention Reported

Passengers on board also described a chaotic situation inside the aircraft. One passenger told Israeli media that people rushed toward the cockpit after the confrontation between the pilots. Other accounts said passengers and crew members helped restrain the alleged attacker while the aircraft was losing altitude. Israeli media reported that the aircraft was carrying around 174 passengers, although passenger numbers have varied across early reports. Reports also said that other qualified pilots who were travelling as passengers may have assisted with the emergency landing, although details of their precise role have not been independently established.

Suspected Attacker Arrested in Saudi Arabia

Netanyahu said the pilot accused of carrying out the stabbing was arrested after the aircraft landed in Saudi Arabia and was being questioned by Saudi authorities. Israeli officials were investigating whether the incident was an attempted terrorist attack. However, the airline has not publicly confirmed a motive and said the circumstances remain under formal investigation. Some Israeli reports identified the alleged attacker as an Omani national, but authorities had not publicly released comprehensive details about the pilots or established a motive at the time of reporting.

Passengers Await Return to Israel

Following the emergency landing, Flydubai arranged replacement aircraft to transport the passengers and crew from Saudi Arabia. Netanyahu said Israel was maintaining communication with relevant authorities to ensure the passengers' safety and facilitate their return home. The incident also prompted Israeli security authorities to conduct additional situation assessments as officials sought to establish exactly what happened inside the cockpit and whether there was any broader security threat. The investigation remains ongoing, and the motive behind the cockpit altercation has not yet been conclusively established.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 30, 2026 09:07 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).