FlyDubai Pilot Stabbed Co-Pilot in Midair Terror Attack — Passengers Stopped Hijacking
A FlyDubai pilot stabbed his captain in the cockpit of flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv, sending the aircraft into a 14,000-foot dive before Israeli passengers and crew subdued the attacker and saved more than 100 lives. The incident is being investigated as an intended act of terror one week before the anniversary of the October 7 attacks on Israel.
The aircraft was two and a half hours into its flight when the co-pilot produced a knife inside the cockpit and attacked the captain while the plane was entering Jordanian airspace. The captain collapsed onto the controls after being stabbed, and the jet began a steep descent from 33,000 feet to 17,000 feet. Passengers reported screaming throughout the cabin, a loss of power, and the belief they were about to die.
🔥🚨 BREAKING — A FlyDubai pilot tried to hijack a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight, STABBED his co-pilot, and the jet plunged thousands of feet; a “major disaster was narrowly avoided.”
Flight FZ1073. More than 100 Israelis on board. The squawk code went from a general emergency to… pic.twitter.com/85WC6nYaIG
— The Patriot Oasis™ (@ThePatriotOasis) September 30, 2026
Multiple Israeli passengers rushed the cockpit and physically restrained the attacker, dragging him away from the controls. An Israeli dentist on board provided immediate medical care to the wounded captain, stabilizing him until the aircraft could land. Additional crew members assisted in regaining control of the plane and executing an emergency diversion to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where the flight touched down safely with all passengers and crew accounted for.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the situation is now under control following the emergency landing. Israeli defense and intelligence agencies are examining the attack as a potential act of terror. Initial reports identify the attacker as an Omani national, though no foreign handler has been confirmed at this time. The Israeli Air Force scrambled fighter jets in response to the emergency squawk code indicating unlawful interference.
The aircraft transmitted squawk code 7700, indicating a general emergency, before switching to 7500, the international code for unlawful interference or hijacking. The sudden change in transponder codes triggered immediate military and security responses from multiple nations as the flight crossed contested airspace.
Passengers described chaos inside the cabin during the descent. One witness reported the plane diving for several minutes with the power out and passengers convinced they were going to die. The mother of one passenger recounted that after a few minutes, two other pilots regained control, and several Israelis subdued the attacker who had taken a knife and attempted to kill the pilot. She said they pinned his hand to the floor and there was blood everywhere.
Both pilots involved in the cockpit struggle were hospitalized after the landing in Tabuk. The wounded captain received continued medical treatment for stab wounds, while the attacker was taken into custody by Saudi authorities. The full sequence of events that prompted the attack and the attacker’s motives remain under active investigation.
The incident occurred exactly one week before the anniversary of the October 7 attacks, underscoring the persistent security challenges facing Israeli civilians traveling on commercial routes in the region. Israeli officials have not ruled out the possibility of a coordinated plan or foreign involvement in the attack.
The rapid response by Israeli passengers and crew prevented what could have been a catastrophic loss of life. The actions of the dentist who treated the captain under extreme conditions and the passengers who physically overpowered an armed attacker inside a confined cockpit space demonstrated the kind of resolve that has become necessary for Israelis traveling in hostile environments.
FlyDubai has not issued a detailed public statement on the attack. The airline confirmed the flight diverted to Tabuk due to an onboard incident and that all passengers were safe. Saudi authorities have cooperated with Israeli and international investigators examining the circumstances of the assault.
The investigation is ongoing, with Israeli intelligence working to determine whether the attacker acted alone or as part of a larger coordinated effort. The timing of the attack, one week before a significant anniversary, has heightened concerns about potential future incidents targeting Israeli commercial aviation.