Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Passengers Avert Flydubai Crash Attempt, Plane Lands in Saudi Arabia
A Flydubai plane was flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv when officials said two pilots began fighting.
They said the co-pilot stabbed the captain and tried to make the plane crash.
The plane suddenly dropped a very large distance, frightening the people onboard.
The injured captain opened the cockpit door.
Passengers and a crew member rushed inside and helped stop the other pilot.
Other pilots then helped fly the plane.
The aircraft landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
The passengers later traveled to Israel on another plane.
Officials are still investigating what caused the fight.
Israeli officials said a co-pilot stabbed the captain and tried to crash Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
The Boeing 737 MAX 8 rapidly descended, with reports describing a drop of more than 14,000 feet in under 30 seconds or from 33,000 to 17,000 feet in about a minute.
Passengers and crew entered the cockpit, restrained the alleged attacker, and helped other pilots regain control of the aircraft.
The plane landed safely at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia, while both pilots received hospital treatment and an injured passenger was later treated in Israel.
Flydubai and aviation authorities confirmed a security incident but said its cause and motive remained unknown as investigations continued.
- Who
- Passengers, crew members, the captain, co-pilot, and additional Flydubai pilots aboard flight FZ1073 were involved; Israeli officials said most passengers were Israeli nationals.
- What
- Israeli officials said a co-pilot stabbed the captain and attempted to crash the aircraft before passengers and crew intervened.
- When
- Wednesday, about two and a half hours after the flight left Dubai; the distress call was reported at 8:44 a.m. local time.
- Where
- The flight traveled from Dubai to Tel Aviv before diverting to Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- The reason for the cockpit altercation remained unknown and under investigation.
Israeli Officials' Account
Airline and Cautious Reporting
What happened in the cockpit
Israeli Officials' Account
Israeli officials said the co-pilot stabbed the captain, attempted to crash the plane, and was subdued after the injured captain opened the cockpit door.
Airline and Cautious Reporting
Flydubai described an altercation and a security incident, while saying the underlying reasons remained unknown and warning against premature speculation.
Nature of the incident
Israeli Officials' Account
Israeli officials characterized the episode as an attempted crash and serious security incident; some Israeli reports described it as a possible suicide attempt.
Airline and Cautious Reporting
The airline and the United Arab Emirates' aviation regulator confirmed a security incident but did not publicly establish the attacker's motive or explain how the object used in the stabbing entered the aircraft.
Pilot identities and security response
Israeli Officials' Account
An Israeli official identified the alleged attacker as an Omani national, and Israel said it would conduct additional identity and security checks on pilots flying into the country.
Airline and Cautious Reporting
Israeli media reports conflicted over the pilots' nationalities, variously describing them as Omani and Emirati or Russian and Ukrainian; the UAE government had not issued a public account.
- Flight
- Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv
- People aboard
- Reports described about 170 passengers; Israeli officials said 174 people were aboard
- Reported descent
- More than 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds, or from 33,000 to 17,000 feet in about one minute, according to differing reports
- Emergency landing
- The aircraft landed at Tabuk's Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport about an hour after the distress call
- Intervention
- Passengers and crew entered the cockpit, restrained the alleged attacker, and helped other pilots control the aircraft
- Injuries
- Both pilots were hospitalized; a 51-year-old passenger was later treated in Israel in mild condition
- Passenger arrival
- Passengers reached Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport more than 10 hours later aboard a replacement aircraft
Sources
A Bloody Stabbing, Then Screams: The Fight To Save flydubai Flight
Tel Aviv-Bound Flight Averts Catastrophe After Battle in Cockpit
What To Know About The Terrifying FlyDubai Flight Forced To Land In Saudi Arabia
