flydubai pilots fought and stabbed each other with a knife - the plane made an emergency landing

On September 30, 2026, a flydubai aircraft flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv, Israel, made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. It is reported that a severe altercation and stabbing between two pilots in the cockpit led to this incident.

Between 150 and 180 passengers were traveling on this Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, flight number FZ1073, with the majority being Israeli nationals. The airline issued a statement saying that the aircraft landed safely and all passengers on board are unharmed.

While the aircraft was flying at an altitude of approximately 34,000 feet, it suddenly lost control near the Saudi-Jordanian border. According to radar data, the aircraft dangerously plummeted about 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds. Subsequently, the cockpit issued code 7700, indicating a general emergency, followed by code 7500, indicating a hijacking or unlawful interference. After flying erratically for about an hour, the aircraft eventually landed safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia. Photographs taken after the landing also show some damage to the aircraft's rudder, but the airline has not yet commented on this.

According to passengers who witnessed the incident, a loud screaming sound was heard from the cockpit as the plane rapidly descended. Subsequently, passengers in the front seats rushed to the cockpit and saw one pilot stabbing the other pilot with a pocket knife and holding him down. Photographs of passengers with blood-stained clothes have also been released to Israeli media. Several passengers collectively subdued the attacker, and two other off-duty pilots on board took control of the aircraft. It is also reported that an Israeli national dentist on the plane provided first aid to save the life of the injured pilot.

Tabuk Airport authorities have stated that the main pilot sustained serious injuries, and the co-pilot sustained minor injuries. Both have been hospitalized. Israeli security forces have launched an investigation into whether this was a terrorist act or an attempt by the pilot to crash the plane and commit suicide. Conflicting reports are also emerging regarding the nationality of the pilots, with some sources claiming they are Russian and Ukrainian nationals, while other sources state the attacker is an Omani national. However, neither flydubai nor the UAE authorities have officially confirmed any of this so far, and another aircraft has been dispatched from Dubai to transport the passengers back to Tel Aviv.