Vahid Online in English

Automated AI translations of Vahid Online reporting. Exported from the Telegram Channel. Original content also available on X/Twitter.

← Back to latest feed

30 Sept 2026, 15:42

Following the emergency landing of a FlyDubai airline plane from Dubai to Tel Aviv in Saudi Arabia, the Israeli Prime Minister stated that the co-pilot of the aircraft allegedly attempted to crash the plane with its passengers after attacking the other pilot with a knife.

Benjamin Netanyahu, in a video message released on Wednesday, October 8, said: "During the flight, as the plane was approaching the country, one of the pilots attacked the other pilot and apparently tried to crash the plane with all its passengers."

He referred to the passengers as "heroes" and said their actions "prevented a major disaster."

Netanyahu also mentioned that Saudi Arabia has detained the co-pilot of this flight, who he claims attacked the other pilot and attempted to crash the plane. He added: "The pilot who carried out the attack has been arrested and is now being interrogated by Saudi authorities."

Netanyahu also issued orders to prepare for potential further threats.

Israel's Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, described the incident on Wednesday as "an attempt at a terrorist attack." In a statement, he said: "The serious incident on the FlyDubai flight was an attempt at a jihadist terrorist attack that was thwarted thanks to the bravery of several Israeli passengers; they entered the cockpit, subdued the terrorist, and returned control of the plane to another crew member who was present."

Israeli media reported on Wednesday the possibility of the plane being hijacked but later stated that "a physical altercation between the pilots" on the aircraft caused it to change course and make an emergency landing.

According to these reports, the Boeing 737 sent an emergency code related to hijacking and subsequently lost communication with Israel. Following this event, Israeli fighter jets were scrambled, and operations at Ben Gurion Airport were halted.

Videos shared on social media, which Reuters confirmed were recorded on flight FZ1073, show passengers attending to two injured men on the floor of the plane, at least one of whom is wearing a pilot's uniform.

In one of the videos, an Israeli passenger calls for help, stating that the passengers "have subdued the terrorists." However, officials at Tabuk Airport and this passenger have not identified the attacker or attackers, and the exact details of how the altercation unfolded remain unclear.

According to information from the FlightRadar24 website, the flight initially sent a general emergency message and then sent another emergency message indicating the possibility of "illegal interference." The plane had descended nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds before the first emergency alert.

The Boeing 737, which Israeli media reported was carrying about 150 Israeli passengers, transmitted the initial emergency message again and then landed at Tabuk Airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia.

On the other hand, FlyDubai, based in the United Arab Emirates, stated that the cause of the altercation that occurred "in the cockpit of flight FZ1073" is still unclear and is under official investigation.

A FlyDubai spokesperson said in a statement: "At this stage, the main reasons and motivations for this incident are not clear and are still being investigated within the framework of an official inquiry. We ask all parties to refrain from premature speculation while the responsible authorities are gathering information and clarifying the details of the incident."

Reuters reported, citing Israeli officials, that the co-pilot involved in the incident is an Omani citizen. The Omani government has not yet commented on the matter.
@VahidHeadline
📡 @VahidOnline

Mapped locations (1)

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors