Flydubai Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Tabuk on Wednesday after the co-pilot stabbed the captain. Authorities described the incident as highly severe.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described it as a “highly severe security incident.”
The Boeing 737 Max carried roughly 150–180 people, nearly all Israeli. Data showed a sudden, steep descent of about 14,000–17,000 feet in under two minutes. The aircraft sent emergency and hijacking codes before passengers and crew regained control.
What Netanyahu and officials said
Netanyahu said one pilot stabbed the other and apparently tried to crash the plane with everyone on board. He spoke with an Israeli passenger who reported that the plane went into a spin and began to dive. That passenger and a crew member broke into the cockpit and overpowered the attacker while he was trying to sabotage the aircraft’s systems. Additional crew members (including relief pilots traveling as passengers) then stabilized the plane and landed it safely. Flydubai Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday after the co-pilot stabbed the captain and apparently tried to crash the plane.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz called the episode an “attempted jihadist terror attack,” saying the attacker’s intention was to crash the aircraft and kill everyone on board. An Israeli official identified the suspected co-pilot as an Omani national. He was arrested after landing and is being questioned by Saudi authorities. Both the captain and first officer were injured and taken to hospital. All passengers were reported safe.
Passenger accounts
Passengers described screams, a bloody struggle in the cockpit, and a moment when many thought they were experiencing another 9/11-style attack. Some said they forced the cockpit door, subdued the attacker (one account mentioned restraining him with headphone cords), and helped restore control. Flydubai confirmed an “altercation” in the flight deck, and that on-duty crew traveling on the flight secured the aircraft. Flydubai Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday after the co-pilot stabbed the captain and apparently tried to crash the plane.
Israel scrambled fighter jets during the incident. Authorities are treating it as a possible terror attack rather than a mental-health episode, though full details on motive and whether the suspect acted alone remain under investigation. Saudi and Israeli officials are coordinating the passengers’ return.
