On Wednesday, September 30, 2026, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a shocking accusation that a pilot of a flydubai flight to Tel Aviv had attempted to crash the plane. According to Netanyahu, the pilot had stabbed the other pilot in an attempt to provoke a crash. The incident occurred on flight FZ 1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv, which was forced to make an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
The plane, carrying 174 passengers, including 166 Israelis, made a sudden loss of altitude, dropping from 34,000 feet to 17,000 feet in just one minute. Passengers described a violent altercation in the cockpit and a sudden loss of altitude, which was followed by the pilots regaining control of the plane. Netanyahu praised the "heroes" on board who helped to subdue the suspect and prevent a catastrophic outcome.
The suspect, who has not been named, is currently being interrogated by Saudi authorities. Netanyahu stated that he was in constant contact with Saudi authorities and had ordered Israeli security services to prepare for any potential additional threats. The incident has raised concerns about the security of flights to and from Israel, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The Israeli Defense Minister, Israel Katz, described the incident as a "terrorist jihadist attack," although flydubai and Saudi authorities have not corroborated this claim. The airline has called for no speculation, stating that the reasons for the altercation between the two pilots are currently unknown.
Passengers on board the flight described the terrifying experience, with one passenger, Miriam Shira Ohayon, stating that the plane was on the verge of crashing and that it was only thanks to the actions of the passengers and crew that everyone on board was safe. Other passengers reported hearing screams and seeing blood in the cockpit.
The incident prompted the Israeli military to scramble fighter jets in response to the emergency landing, although the military later determined that it was not a hijacking. The flight's passengers were taken to a hotel in Tabuk, where they were provided with assistance and later departed for Tel Aviv.
The incident is currently under investigation, with Israeli and Saudi authorities working together to determine the circumstances surrounding the altercation. Netanyahu's office has stated that the Prime Minister is working closely with Israeli security services to assess any potential threats to Israeli aviation.
Key points
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused a flydubai pilot of attempting to crash the plane by stabbing the other pilot.
- The incident occurred on flight FZ 1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv, which made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
- The suspect is currently being interrogated by Saudi authorities, and Israeli security services are working to assess any potential threats to Israeli aviation.
