Israeli media outlets have disclosed new information regarding a recent incident involving a FlyDubai plane en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The plane was forced to change course and land in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after sending out emergency signals that raised concerns about a potential hijacking. According to Israel's Channel 14, the co-pilot, who allegedly attempted to bring down the plane, holds Omani citizenship, while the captain is Emirati.
The incident occurred on September 30, 2026, when the plane, carrying 174 passengers, including 27 children, took off from Dubai bound for Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv. About 90 minutes into the flight, while in Jordanian airspace, the plane sent out an emergency signal "7700," followed by signal "7500," which is used to report possible unlawful interference with the aircraft's operation.
The plane's sudden change in course and significant altitude drop sparked alarm in Israel, prompting the scrambling of two fighter jets to escort the aircraft. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant held an emergency security consultation. Initially, there were fears of a hijacking, especially since communication with the captain was not possible, and a code indicating unauthorized interference was activated.
However, an Israeli official later clarified that the incident was not a hijacking but rather a dispute between the pilots in the cockpit. The Israeli media reported that the Omani co-pilot attempted to bring down the plane, but the Emirati captain, assisted by crew members, managed to regain control. The incident reportedly remained confined to the cockpit and did not result in injuries to passengers.
According to flight data, the plane rapidly descended from over 30,000 feet to approximately 16,750 feet, accompanied by sharp fluctuations in altitude, before stabilizing and heading towards Saudi Arabia. The plane safely landed at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Airport in Tabuk. The incident raised questions about how the Omani pilot was cleared to fly to Israel.
The Israeli authorities are investigating how the Omani co-pilot was granted permission to fly to Israel as part of the aircraft's crew. This incident highlights potential security vulnerabilities and has sparked discussions about stricter vetting procedures for pilots and crew members.
The Israeli media reports have provided further details about the incident, but the full circumstances surrounding the dispute between the pilots and the security implications of the incident remain to be fully understood. An investigation is ongoing to determine the causes of the incident and to prevent similar events in the future.
Key points
- The co-pilot accused of attempting to bring down the FlyDubai plane is Omani, while the captain is Emirati.
- The incident occurred when the plane was en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv and was forced to make an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
- Israeli authorities are investigating how the Omani co-pilot was cleared to fly to Israel as part of the aircraft's crew.
