Dubai: A Flydubai passenger jet travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv was forced to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after the co-pilot allegedly attempted to crash the aircraft and stabbed the captain mid-flight. The commercial flight, carrying 174 passengers including 27 children, safely touched down at Tabuk Regional Airport following a dramatic struggle inside the cockpit.
According to Israeli media reports and official statements, the altercation began when the first officer, identified by Israeli sources as an Omani national, attacked the Indian captain in an apparent attempt to sabotage the aircraft’s control systems. The captain fought back against his co-pilot to regain control of the plane, prompting immediate distress calls and a sharp plunge in altitude.
Flight-tracking data revealed that the Boeing aircraft was cruising at approximately 34,000 feet before plunging more than 17,000 feet in under two minutes. During the descent, the crew transmitted emergency transponder codes indicating unlawful interference aboard the aircraft, prompting Israeli authorities to briefly scramble fighter jets over hijacking concerns.
Hearing screams and sensing the sudden dive of the airliner, several passengers, alongside off-duty cabin crew members, forced their way into the cockpit. Working together, they overpowered the attacker, while another crew member entered the flight deck to assist in stabilizing the aircraft and guiding it toward Saudi airspace.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commended the actions of those on board, stating that the intervention of the crew and passengers demonstrated extraordinary resourcefulness and prevented a catastrophic disaster. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz characterized the incident as an attempted terrorist attack that was averted through swift civilian and crew intervention.
Flydubai confirmed that flight FZ1073 experienced an in-flight security incident and made an unscheduled landing in Tabuk. The airline stated that on-duty crew successfully secured the aircraft and ensured all passengers were accounted for and safe. Officials at the carrier declined to release the identities or nationalities of the flight crew, emphasizing that an official investigation is underway to determine the motives behind the incident.
Both the captain and the first officer sustained injuries during the struggle and were transported to a nearby hospital upon landing. Saudi authorities have taken the suspected co-pilot into custody for formal interrogation as multinational aviation and security agencies continue their investigation into the breach.
