Pilot allegedly tries to crash flydubai plane in mid-air drama

A flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after an altercation broke out in the cockpit.

Flight FZ1073 landed safely at Tabuk Airport, with all passengers and crew accounted for, flydubai confirmed.

The airline said on-duty flydubai crew who were travelling on the aircraft secured the plane and diverted it to Saudi Arabia.

Flydubai has not confirmed what triggered the altercation and said authorities were still investigating the incident.

Flydubai confirms cockpit incident

In a statement, the airline said an altercation took place on the flight deck while the aircraft was travelling from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion International Airport.

“The aircraft was successfully secured by on-duty flydubai crew travelling on the flight,” the airline said.

It added that all passengers and crew were safe and accounted for.

Flight-tracking data showed the aircraft transmitted emergency codes during the incident, including 7500, which signals unlawful interference, and 7700, the general emergency code.

NEW: Flight data shows the Flydubai plane carrying roughly 150 people plunged from 34,000 feet to 14,000 feet in about 30 seconds before signaling an emergency.@BillHemmer breaks down the timeline, showing the cockpit first transmitted a general emergency code before switching… pic.twitter.com/K9NqRbHt8m

— Fox News (@FoxNews) September 30, 2026

Netanyahu claims co-pilot tried to crash plane

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later said the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain and tried to crash the aircraft.

Netanyahu said passengers and a crew member managed to overpower the co-pilot before other pilots took control and landed the aircraft safely in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi authorities detained the co-pilot and were expected to question him over the incident, according to a report.

Flydubai has not independently confirmed those allegations.

The airline said the reasons and motive behind the incident remained unknown and urged people not to speculate while authorities established what happened.

Passengers to continue journey

Flydubai sent replacement aircraft to Tabuk to assist passengers and crew following the diversion.

The airline said the incident had not affected its other scheduled operations.

Authorities in Saudi Arabia are now investigating the incident.