A flydubai flight from the United Arab Emirates to Israel was forced into an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia on September 30, 2026, after a co-pilot stabbed the captain in an apparent attempt to crash the aircraft.
The Boeing 737 MAX was carrying between 160 and 180 passengers, the majority of whom were Israeli. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the event as an extremely severe security incident,
stating that the attacker attempted to bring down the plane.
A Sudden Drop Over Jordan
The crisis unfolded approximately two-and-a-half hours after the flight departed Dubai. While cruising over Jordan, the aircraft suffered a violent loss of altitude. Data from Flightradar shows the plane plummeted from nearly 34,000 feet at 5:21 a.m. Irish time to less than 17,000 feet just one minute later.
Miryam Shira Ohayon, a passenger on board, described the aircraft as being pretty much out of control.
Она рассказала репортерам: «Таким образом, второй пилот пытался убить командира и, по сути, совершить атаку-самоубийство на самолете».
Passengers Breach the Cockpit
The disaster was averted by the intervention of those on board. According to Netanyahu, a passenger and a crew member managed to break into the cockpit to “neutralize” the attacking pilot.
«Самолет действительно был на грани крушения, и только находчивость многих людей позволила взять второго пилота под контроль и нейтрализовать его», — сказала Ohayon. She noted that a doctor on the flight provided first aid to both pilots.
Stabilization of the aircraft was aided by two off-duty “relief” pilots, both Europeans, including one British national. Footage from the cabin showed the captain on his back wearing an oxygen mask while the co-pilot lay bound and unconscious.
Scrambled Jets and Saudi Arrival
As the plane transmitted three emergency signals—one indicating possible unlawful interference—Israeli officials scrambled fighter jets over fears of a hijacking.
The flight eventually touched down safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia at 9:45 a.m. (06:45 Irish time). Tabuk airport operators confirmed that both the captain and co-pilot were transported to a hospital with injuries. Flydubai confirmed flight FZ 1073 «столкнулся с инцидентом во время полета», noting that all passengers were safe.
Security Breach and Arrests
Israeli media reports identify the alleged perpetrator as a man of Omani descent who had been employed by flydubai for less than a year. Defense Minister Israel Katz and other officials have characterized the event as an attempted terrorist attack.
Netanyahu confirmed that Saudi Arabia has arrested the pilot responsible for the stabbing. He praised the passengers and crew for showing exceptional resourcefulness and courage
in preventing a major disaster.
Israeli officials are now coordinating with the relevant authorities to guarantee the continued safety of the passengers and their safe return home.
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