On September 30, 2026, Flydubai flight FZ1073, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, took off from Dubai bound for Tel Aviv with an estimated 174 people on board. At 05:38 UTC, the aircraft switched its transponder to squawk code 7500, the internationally recognised signal for a hijacking or unlawful interference. This triggered a serious response from Israeli authorities, who scrambled fighter jets and raised the country's air force alert level. The Israeli Prime Minister and Defence Minister reportedly held an urgent security consultation.
Flight-tracking data shows that the aircraft's altitude began to fluctuate at around 05:21 UTC, with a rapid descent of over 14,000 feet in roughly 30 seconds. The tracker recorded an instantaneous descent rate of about 30,976 feet per minute as the jet fell from around 34,000 feet towards 14,000 feet. At 05:31 UTC, the aircraft squawked 7700, the general emergency code, and seven minutes later, it squawked 7500. The plane then diverted and landed at Tabuk in north-western Saudi Arabia at around 06:45-07:00 UTC.
According to reports, a violent altercation occurred between the two pilots, with Israeli security media suggesting that one pilot may have tried to crash the aircraft before being subdued by the other pilot and Israeli passengers. Photographs circulating online appear to show a passenger who helped overpower one of the pilots, although these have not been independently verified. The nationality of the pilots has been reported, with the suspected pilot identified as an Omani citizen and the other pilot as a citizen of the United Arab Emirates.
A passenger on board, Miriam, as relayed by her mother Yasmin Abu Kasis, described a harrowing scene in which a man with a knife attacked a pilot amid screaming and panic. However, this account conflicts with other reports placing the struggle in the cockpit and awaits corroboration. Flydubai has confirmed that the flight experienced an "in-flight incident" and landed safely in Tabuk, with all passengers safe and being looked after.
The incident has raised concerns about the security of commercial flights and the implications of the Gulf-Israel normalisation. The flight was operated by an Emirati carrier on a commercial route between two countries whose relations were transformed by the Abraham Accords. The incident has been treated as a test of this normalisation, with some Israeli assessments reportedly treating the episode as an attempted terror attack.
Investigators from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Israel are expected to examine the flight data and cockpit voice recorders and take passenger statements. The flight recorders, rather than social media reports, will provide the definitive account of what happened on board. Both pilots were reportedly removed from the aircraft at Tabuk, and Flydubai has said it will fly the passengers on to Israel aboard a replacement jet.
The incident highlights the complexities of aviation security and the potential risks faced by commercial airlines. As the investigation continues, the aviation community and the public await a clear understanding of the events that transpired on board Flydubai flight FZ1073. For now, the fact that the plane landed safely with all passengers alive is a testament to the effectiveness of emergency procedures and the bravery of those on board.
Key points
- The incident involved a violent altercation between the pilots and a hijack alert, which was responded to by Israeli authorities and resulted in an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
- The flight's rapid descent and change in altitude triggered a serious response from Israeli authorities, who scrambled fighter jets and raised the country's air force alert level.
- Investigators will examine the flight data and cockpit voice recorders to determine the cause of the incident and provide a definitive account of what happened on board.
