Dubai-Israel Flight Incident News Live Updates: Netanyahu says ‘too early’ to link Iran to flydubai incident, Israel ‘possibly’ joining probe
Flydubai attack: Benjamin Netanyahu said it is “too early to say” whether there is any indication of Iranian involvement in the incident. (Photo/AP)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he did not know the exact background of the flydubai copilot accused of attacking the captain in an apparent attempt to crash the aircraft, “but he obviously hated Israelis.”
In an interview with Fox News, he said, “that is fanaticism and hatred of an incalculable level.” Asked about possible Iranian involvement in the attack, Netanyahu said it was “too early to say.”
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“The attacking pilot is now being investigated Saudi Arabia. I think he’ll be taken to the Emirates where he comes from — or at least where he flew off from,” he said. “We’ll be following and also possibly participating in this investigation.”
flydubai FZ1073 · September 30, 2026
Flydubai FZ1073: From Dubai to an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia
A Tel Aviv-bound flight lost half its altitude in about a minute, sent emergency codes and diverted to Tabuk after what Israeli officials describe as an attack in the cockpit.
Investigation ongoing
Flydubai FZ1073: What happened mid-air?
The flight, step by step. Times and altitudes are from Flightradar24 data.
Dubaitake-offTel AvivdestinationTabuklandedJORDANSAUDI ARABIAUAEIRAQEGYPT 77007500
Altitude
-
- Take-off
- Confrontation
- Plunge
- 7700 → 7500
- Jets scrambled
- Door opens
- Attacker subdued
- Diverts
- Lands
03:05 GMT · Dubai
FZ1073, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, takes off for Tel Aviv with about 170 people on board.
About 2 hr 15 min into the flight Alleged
A confrontation breaks out in the cockpit. Israeli officials say the co-pilot stabbed the captain.
05:21 GMT · 34,000 ft → ~16,600 ft
Flight-tracking data shows the jet losing about half its altitude in roughly a minute.
05:28 and 05:35 GMT
The transponder shows 7700, a general emergency, then 7500, unlawful interference.
Israel
Fearing a possible hijacking, Israel scrambles fighter jets.
Cockpit Attributed
The injured captain opens the cockpit door so others can get in, Israeli PM Netanyahu said.
Passengers and crew Attributed
A passenger and crew members enter the cockpit and overpower the attacker, according to Netanyahu and passengers.
Towards Saudi Arabia
On-duty flydubai crew travelling on the flight secure the plane and divert it to Tabuk, the airline says.
About 07:00 GMT · Tabuk
The aircraft lands safely. Passengers are safe; both pilots are taken to hospital.
Route is approximate. Cockpit events are based on accounts from Israeli officials, flydubai and passengers; their exact timing has not been made public.
India link: the injured captain, Smit Machchhar, is an Indian national, i24NEWS and Israel Hayom report. He is in a stable condition after surgery in Saudi Arabia, according to i24NEWS.
Inside the flydubai cockpit: What we know
The least clear part of the story, in sequence
- 1
Cockpit confrontation
A fight breaks out between the two pilots
- 2
One pilot allegedly stabs the other
Israeli officials say the co-pilot stabbed the captain
- 3
Attempt to take control
Netanyahu says the attacker “apparently tried to crash the plane”
- 4
Injured pilot opens the cockpit door
The wounded captain lets others in, Netanyahu said
- 5
A passenger and crew member enter
A passenger says a relief pilot called for help and others followed
- 6
Attacker subdued
Passengers and crew overpower him
- 7
Other crew regain control
flydubai: on-duty crew travelling on the flight secured the plane
Based on accounts from Israeli officials and passengers; investigation ongoing. flydubai says the reasons and motives “remain unknown and are subject to a formal investigation”.
Why did Israel scramble fighter jets?
What Israeli authorities could see from the ground
-
1 · Emergency signalThe aircraft transmits 7700, then 7500: unlawful interference
-
2 · Rapid altitude loss34,000 ft to about 16,600 ft in roughly a minute
-
3 · Hijacking fearedIsraeli authorities scramble fighter jets
What actually happened?
Israeli officials later said the incident involved an alleged attack by one pilot on the other. Netanyahu said one pilot stabbed the other and “apparently tried to crash the plane”. The investigation is ongoing.
‘We need help’: What passengers saw aboard Flydubai FZ1073
In passengers’ own words. Their accounts have not been independently verified.
A bloodied passenger
“We are in the middle of a plane hijacking. At the moment, we have subdued the terrorists and we are preparing to land… We need help.”
Passenger video, as reported by Ynet
Passengers rush the cockpit
“A few of us just jumped in and pulled him out of the cockpit. Everything is OK now.”
Passenger, as reported by Ynet
An injured pilot
“Everyone on the plane is safe and well except for the pilot.”
Passenger, as reported by Ynet
Crew and passengers restrain the attacker
“He called for help, and two others and I entered the cockpit and subdued the terrorist. I’m covered in blood.”
Zvika Manes, passenger, to Ynet
Passengers stay on board after landing
Passengers remained on the plane after it landed in Tabuk.
Euronews
Saudi security surrounds the aircraft
A heavy Saudi security presence surrounded the plane.
Euronews
The numbers behind the flydubai emergency
Each figure with its source
Some reports give the drop as 33,000 ft to 17,000 ft. Flightradar24 data shows 34,000 ft to as low as 16,600 ft.
Sources: flydubai, Flightradar24, Reuters, Newsweek, AeroTime, Euronews, Ynet, i24NEWS, Israel Hayom, Unilad Tech (Flightradar24 data). Map: Natural Earth.
PM Modi praises Indian pilot who foiled co-pilot’s bid to crash flydubai flight
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for fighting off a co-pilot who allegedly attempted to crash the flydubai aircraft travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, with several Israelis on board.
In a post on X, PM Modi said, “Captain Smit Machchhar is a HERO. In the face of the gravest danger and despite being seriously injured, he showed immense courage and an unwavering resolve to protect the lives of others.”
“His valour helped save hundreds of lives and avert a great tragedy. India is proud of Captain Machchhar. Praying for his speedy recovery, renewed strength and good health,” he added.
Trump says suspect ‘perhaps a terrorist’ or ‘whack-job’
US President Donald Trump said he spoke with Netanyahu about the apparent attempted hijacking of the flydubai flight, stating that it looked like the suspect “was perhaps a terrorist or perhaps a whack-job.”
He said that he was told by Netanyahu and others about how a plumbed on board the aircraft helped level the aircraft after it began a nosedive during the incident.
“I don’t know if it’s true, but that’s the story that I got from Bibi and from a couple of other people,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.
“They said [the pilot] wanted to crash the plane, but they don’t have that kind of information,” he added.
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