Archive · 11 Oct 2026
Hijack Signal Prompts Israeli Jets to Respond to flydubai Scare
A flydubai passenger plane sent a signal that can mean someone has taken over an aircraft.
The plane was supposed to fly to Tel Aviv, so Israeli air defence officers took the warning seriously.
They sent fighter jets into the air and prepared for several possible situations.
The officers did not know exactly what was happening because information was unclear and they could not speak directly with the plane.
The aircraft turned away from Israel and continued toward Saudi Arabia.
Israeli officials stayed alert until they learned it had landed safely in Tabuk.
Reports later said there had been a fight in the cockpit and two off-duty pilots helped fly the plane.
The signal caused an emergency response, but it did not by itself prove there was a hijacking.
An apparent hijacking signal from a flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv led Israel to scramble fighter jets as a precaution.
Israeli air defence officer Maj. (Res.) D. said conflicting reports and limited communication left his team uncertain about events aboard the plane.
The aircraft was flying over Saudi Arabia near the Jordanian border and later turned away from Israel; Israeli authorities alerted airports and cleared airspace for a possible response.
Israeli forces remained on standby until they confirmed the plane had landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Later reports described a violent cockpit altercation involving the co-pilot and Indian captain Smit Machchhar; two off-duty pilots reportedly took control.
- Who
- Israeli Air Force air defence personnel, including Maj. (Res.) D., responded to an emergency signal from a flydubai flight.
- What
- An apparent hijacking signal prompted Israel to scramble fighter jets, clear airspace and alert airports while officials assessed the situation.
- When
- The article does not give the date of the flight incident; the interview also discussed readiness since the October 7, 2023 attacks.
- Where
- The aircraft was over Saudi Arabia near the Jordanian border and eventually landed in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia; it had been bound for Tel Aviv.
- Why
- The signal could indicate unlawful interference, and Israeli officials prepared for possible threats while the circumstances aboard the aircraft remained unclear.
Initial alarm
Later account
Meaning of the signal
Initial alarm
The hijacking signal required Israeli authorities to prepare for a possible aircraft threat and scramble fighter jets.
Later account
The signal was not proof of a confirmed hijacking; later reports described a cockpit altercation and a safe landing.
Assessment under uncertainty
Initial alarm
Maj. (Res.) D. said his team faced conflicting information and lacked direct communication, so it prepared for multiple scenarios.
Later account
The account says the aircraft turned away from Israel and landed safely in Tabuk, with two off-duty pilots reportedly taking control.
- Airline
- flydubai
- Intended destination
- Tel Aviv
- Emergency signal
- A hijacking signal was transmitted by the aircraft.
- Israeli response
- Fighter jets were scrambled; Israeli airspace was kept clear and airports were alerted.
- Communication limits
- The Israeli team had no direct link with the aircraft or its Saudi air traffic control counterparts.
- Final landing
- Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
- Reported cockpit incident
- A violent altercation reportedly involved the co-pilot and Indian captain Smit Machchhar; two off-duty pilots reportedly took control.