Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Israel Calls Flydubai Cockpit Stabbing Attempted Jihadist Attack
A Flydubai plane was flying from Dubai toward Tel Aviv when a serious fight reportedly happened in the cockpit.
Israeli officials said one pilot stabbed the other pilot.
They said the attacking pilot may also have tried to make the plane crash.
The plane suddenly dropped about 17,000 feet and appeared to lose control.
Passengers and crew members went into the cockpit and stopped the alleged attacker.
Another crew member helped control the airplane.
The plane landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, instead of Tel Aviv.
Saudi authorities arrested the alleged attacker, but investigators had not confirmed the motive or every detail.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a Flydubai co-pilot stabbed the captain and apparently tried to crash flight FZ1073.
Passengers and crew members reportedly entered the cockpit, subdued the alleged attacker and helped stabilize the aircraft.
Flight-tracking data showed the plane dropping about 17,000 feet in roughly one minute before diverting to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
The captain and first officer were injured and hospitalized; Saudi authorities arrested and questioned the alleged attacker.
Defense Minister Israel Katz called the incident an attempted jihadist terror attack, while the motive and cockpit sequence remained under investigation.
- Who
- The two Flydubai pilots, passengers, crew members, Israeli officials and Saudi authorities were involved or reported on the incident.
- What
- One pilot allegedly stabbed the other and apparently attempted to crash the aircraft before passengers and crew intervened.
- When
- Wednesday, September 30, 2026, according to the reports.
- Where
- The flight traveled from Dubai toward Tel Aviv before diverting to Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia; passengers said the descent occurred over or near Jordan.
- Why
- The alleged motive has not been established. Israel’s defense minister described it as an attempted jihadist terrorist attack, while the investigation continued.
Israeli Officials’ Account
Cautious Investigative View
Nature of the incident
Israeli Officials’ Account
Benjamin Netanyahu said the co-pilot apparently tried to crash the aircraft, and Israel Katz called it an attempted jihadist terrorist attack targeting passengers, mostly Israelis.
Cautious Investigative View
The pilot’s identity, motive and full actions had not been publicly established. Flydubai and authorities did not provide a complete account of what happened in the cockpit.
How the aircraft was saved
Israeli Officials’ Account
Netanyahu and Katz credited Israeli passengers with breaking into the cockpit, overpowering the attacker and helping prevent a major disaster.
Cautious Investigative View
Passenger accounts supported a struggle, but reports also credited another crew member—described by Danny Danon as an Emirati pilot—with stabilizing and landing the plane.
Evidence of an attempted crash
Israeli Officials’ Account
Netanyahu said the aircraft went into a spin or dive while the alleged attacker tried to interfere with its systems.
Cautious Investigative View
Flight-tracking data, videos and passenger accounts documented a sharp descent and distress but did not independently establish the pilot’s intent.
- Flight
- Flydubai flight FZ1073, described as a Boeing 737 MAX
- Planned route
- Dubai to Tel Aviv
- Reported passengers
- Media reports said 166 of the 174 people aboard were Israeli
- Emergency landing
- The aircraft landed at about 9:45 a.m. local time in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
- Reported descent
- The plane fell from nearly 34,000 feet to below 17,000 feet in roughly one minute, according to Flightradar24 data
- Injuries
- The captain and first officer were injured and taken to a hospital; passengers also received medical attention
- Investigation
- Saudi authorities arrested and questioned the alleged attacker, while the motive and full cockpit sequence remained unclear
Sources
Israel says Flydubai cockpit stabbing was a ‘jihadist terrorist attack attempt’, Netanyahu hails heroes who averted it
'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’
Netanyahu says flydubai co-pilot tried to crash plane after attacking pilot
