A routine Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv turned into a terrifying mid-air ordeal after a violent confrontation between the pilots forced the aircraft to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. Flight FZ1073 was traveling at about 34,000 feet when the incident erupted in the cockpit. The Boeing 737 subsequently descended about 17,400 feet, falling from 34,000 feet to approximately 16,600 feet in just over two minutes.
New reports have significantly changed the initial account of the incident, which was first described as a fight between the pilots. According to BBC News, the co-pilot was believed to have stabbed the captain before cabin crew entered the cockpit and helped take control of the aircraft. Israeli officials are investigating whether the incident could have been an attempted terror attack.
Passenger accounts described hearing screams before seeing blood inside the cockpit. One passenger disclosed that they were asked to help restrain the alleged attacker, while other accounts said crew members and passengers helped bring the situation under control. The aircraft transmitted an emergency signal after the incident, before briefly switching to squawk code 7500, the internationally recognized code associated with unlawful interference or a suspected hijacking.
The signal prompted Israel to scramble fighter jets as authorities initially feared the aircraft could have been hijacked. It was eventually diverted towards Saudi Arabia and landed safely at Tabuk Airport. Flydubai confirmed that flight FZ1073 landed safely at Tabuk Airport and that all passengers were safe and accounted for.
The airline said it was working with relevant authorities and would provide further updates as confirmed information became available. Both pilots were injured and taken to hospital after the aircraft landed, according to Tabuk Airport. Reports indicate that the suspected attacker was an Omani national, while the other pilot was from the UAE, although authorities had not publicly established a motive.
The emergency landing was particularly unusual because Saudi Arabia and Israel do not have formal diplomatic relations. Flydubai was expected to arrange another aircraft to transport the passengers from Saudi Arabia to Tel Aviv after the emergency diversion. While earlier reports suggested the incident was simply a physical altercation between the pilots and not a hijacking, later accounts from Israeli officials alleged that the confrontation was a possible attempt to take control of the aircraft.
The investigation is ongoing, and some details, including the alleged motive and precisely how control of the aircraft was recovered, remain unconfirmed. The incident occurred on September 30, 2026, and was reported by Hillary Lisimba, a human-interest editor at TUKO Media Ltd.
Key points
- The co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain in a possible hijacking attempt.
- Passengers and crew members helped restrain the alleged attacker.
- The incident is under investigation, with Israeli officials probing a possible terror attack.
