Jerusalem/Dubai, September 30, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday said a pilot aboard a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv stabbed the other pilot and apparently attempted to crash the aircraft before passengers and crew intervened and the plane was diverted safely to Saudi Arabia.
Flydubai flight FZ1073 landed at Tabuk Airport after the mid-air incident, with all passengers and crew reported safe and accounted for. Both pilots were taken to hospital following the incident.
In a video statement, Netanyahu described the incident as extremely serious and said the suspected attacker had been arrested and was being questioned by Saudi authorities. He said Israel remained in contact with the relevant authorities.
According to Netanyahu, the aircraft went into a steep descent as it approached Israel after the cockpit confrontation. He said an Israeli passenger and a crew member entered the cockpit and subdued the pilot while he was allegedly attempting to interfere with the aircraft’s systems, allowing other crew members to regain control.
Passenger Tzvika Mens, who said he helped restrain the attacker, told Israeli broadcaster Kan that he and others used cords from complimentary headphones to hold him down.
Flight-tracking data showed the aircraft transmitting emergency signals, including the 7500 transponder code associated with unlawful interference, after a sharp descent. Flightradar24 reported that the Boeing 737 MAX 8 experienced significant altitude fluctuations before diverting towards Tabuk.
The incident initially raised concerns about a possible hijacking, prompting Israeli fighter jets to be scrambled. Subsequent accounts from Israeli officials and passengers indicated that the emergency resulted from a violent confrontation between the pilots rather than an external hijacking.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz described the incident as a “jihadist terror attack”, while Israeli security agencies were placed on heightened alert. However, the motive and circumstances behind the confrontation had not been conclusively established.
Flydubai confirmed that an incident occurred in the flight deck and said the crew managed to take control of the situation, divert the aircraft and land safely at Tabuk. The airline said the reasons and motives remained unknown and were subject to an official investigation, urging against premature speculation.
A replacement Flydubai aircraft was arranged to carry the passengers from Tabuk to Israel. Some passengers initially refused to board because of fears following the incident, according to passenger accounts. The passengers were subsequently flown to Tel Aviv.
The aircraft had been carrying 174 passengers, including 27 children, according to reports. Most of the passengers were Israeli nationals.
The incident is being investigated by Saudi and Israeli authorities, while Flydubai is cooperating with the inquiry.
FOLLOW NOW
