1 hr ago
Netanyahu Says Pilot Stabbed Colleague, Tried to Crash FlyDubai
A FlyDubai airplane was traveling from Dubai to Israel when a serious fight reportedly happened in the cockpit.
Israeli officials said one pilot stabbed the other pilot.
They said the attacking pilot may have tried to make the airplane crash.
The plane suddenly dropped thousands of feet and sent an emergency alert.
Some passengers and crew members entered the cockpit and stopped the attacker.
Another crew member helped keep the plane flying.
The aircraft landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, instead of Israel.
Saudi authorities arrested the alleged attacker, and both pilots were taken to a hospital.
Israeli officials called it a possible terror attack, but the reason for the incident was still being investigated.
Israeli officials said one FlyDubai pilot stabbed the other and apparently attempted to crash the aircraft.
Passengers and crew members reportedly entered the cockpit, subdued the attacker and helped stabilize the plane.
The flight descended sharply and diverted from its planned route to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Saudi authorities arrested the alleged attacker; the pilots were hospitalized, according to Saudi airport officials.
Israel’s defense minister called the incident a thwarted jihadist terror attack, while an Israeli official said the motive remained under investigation.
- Who
- The two FlyDubai pilots, passengers and crew members, Israeli officials, and Saudi authorities were involved or reported on the incident.
- What
- One pilot allegedly stabbed the other and apparently tried to crash the aircraft; passengers and crew intervened, and the plane diverted safely.
- Where
- The flight was traveling from Dubai toward Israel before diverting to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
- When
- Wednesday, September 30, 2026, according to the reports.
- Why
- The alleged motive was not established; Israel’s defense minister called it a jihadist terror attack, while an investigation was ongoing.
Israeli Officials’ Account
Cautious Investigative View
Nature of the incident
Israeli Officials’ Account
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said the pilot deliberately tried to crash the aircraft, with Katz describing it as an attempted jihadist terror attack.
Cautious Investigative View
The reports say the pilot’s identity and motive had not been publicly established, and an Israeli official said an investigation was ongoing.
Who prevented a disaster
Israeli Officials’ Account
Netanyahu credited Israeli passengers and crew members with breaking into the cockpit, overpowering the attacker and saving lives.
Cautious Investigative View
The reports also credit another crew member, described by Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon as an Emirati pilot, with helping stabilize the aircraft; the precise sequence remained based largely on early accounts.
Evidence about the flight
Israeli Officials’ Account
Netanyahu’s account said the aircraft went into a spin or began to dive while the pilot was allegedly trying to sabotage its systems.
Cautious Investigative View
Flight-tracking data and videos reviewed by The Associated Press documented a sharp descent, erratic flight and injuries, but did not independently establish the pilot’s intent.
Key facts
- Flight
- FlyDubai flight FZ1073, a Boeing 737 MAX
- Planned route
- Dubai to Israel
- Diversion airport
- Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
- Reported altitude change
- From 33,000 feet to 17,000 feet in about one minute
- Reported cockpit incident
- One pilot allegedly stabbed the other and apparently attempted to interfere with the aircraft’s systems
- Arrest
- Saudi authorities arrested the alleged attacker
- Medical response
- The captain and first officer were injured and taken to hospital, according to Saudi airport officials
Quotes
A passenger on the flight
Unidentified passenger shown in social-media video guarding the cockpit
“During the flight, as they approached the country, one of the pilots stabbed the other pilot, and apparently tried to crash the plane with everyone on board.”
deccanchronicle.com
“The Israeli passengers on today's flight from Dubai showed extraordinary determination and resourcefulness, helping prevent a major disaster.”
businesstoday.in
Sources
'Pilot tried to crash the plane': Netanyahu shares dramatic details on Flydubai
Israel Says 'Jihadist' Pilot Tried To Crash FlyDubai Flight From Dubai
FlyDubai Pilot Stabbed Another, Apparently Tried To Crash Plane: Netanyahu
‘The Israelis Intervened’: Netanyahu Reacts To FlyDubai Incident, Says Passengers ‘Saved Many Lives’
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