A Flydubai passenger flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia on 30 September 2026 after a violent incident inside the cockpit.
Flight FZ1073 was carrying 172 passengers when the aircraft suddenly began losing altitude while flying over the region.
According to Israeli officials and passenger accounts, the co-pilot allegedly attacked and stabbed the captain inside the cockpit.
The aircraft then lost more than 14,000 feet of altitude in approximately 30 seconds, while emergency signals were transmitted.
The aircraft first transmitted the 7700 emergency code, before later switching to the 7500 code, which indicates unlawful interference with the aircraft.
As passengers realised that something was seriously wrong, several people moved towards the front of the cabin.
The injured captain reportedly managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to intervene.
Passengers helped restrain the attacker, while additional Flydubai pilots travelling on board also helped regain control of the aircraft.
The aircraft then changed course and headed back towards Saudi Arabia. It eventually landed safely at Tabuk Airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia.
All passengers were reported safe, while both pilots were taken to hospital.
Passenger-recorded footage from inside the aircraft shows the chaos that followed the incident, including scenes near the cockpit. Reuters verified that the footage was recorded on board the aircraft.
Israeli officials described the incident as an attempted attack intended to bring down the aircraft.
However, the motive behind the attack has not been established, and investigators are still working to determine exactly what happened inside the cockpit and why the attack occurred.
There is also no confirmed evidence supporting social media claims that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was involved.
The investigation remains ongoing.
